U.S Gov’t calls out Kenyan police for harassing peaceful anti-femicide protesters

The United States government has condemned the Tuesday incident that saw police officers in Nairobi lob teargas at demonstrators protesting the alarming rise of femicide cases across the country.

In a statement on X, the United States Embassy in Nairobi slammed the move by police lamenting that the incident occurred on International Human Rights Day, when people around the world are called to reflect on and uphold human rights.

"Regrettable and concerning to see police action against Kenyans exercising their constitutional rights to assemble and protest peacefully," the statement reads in part.

Further, the U.S. government reiterated its support for the Kenyan people's right to express their concerns and call for justice in the face of growing violence against women.

“On #InternationalHumanRightsDay and every day, the United States supports efforts to #EndFemicideKE and protect the human rights of all people,” said the U.S. Embassy.

On Tuesday, videos shared on social media showed protesters being roughed up and arrested in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) by what appeared to be plainclothes police officers,

Protesters also shared images of live bullets that police reportedly fired at the peaceful marchers, sparking outrage among hawk-eyed netizens and human rights organisations.

In a joint statement, Amnesty International Kenya, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Human is My ID Alliance and the End Femicide KE Movement termed the incident a grave violation of human rights.

 “The violent response by police, including the arrest of these peaceful protestors, is a direct attack on Kenya's democratic principles and the human rights of its citizens,” the rights groups said.

“The excessive force and unwarranted arrests not only violate national and international human rights laws but also send a chilling message to all those advocating for justice and accountability. These actions undermine the rule of law and reinforce the impunity that perpetuates violence against women.”

They demanded the immediate release of all protestors and urged the Inspector General of Police to open a probe into the violent arrests to hold perpetrators accountable.

The incident came barely a week after a recent report listed Kenya among 50 countries in sub-Saharan Africa whose administrations have oppressed human rights in the past year.

The annual report titled People Power Under Attack 2024, by global civil society organisation CIVICUS, stated that four countries, including Kenya, were downgraded due to their oppressive nature.

Kenya's rating was downgraded from obstructed to repressed following the police brutality witnessed during the Gen Z protests that rocked the nation in mid-2024.

The report also accused authorities of disrupting peaceful protests by using brute force, engaging in abductions and prosecuting human rights defenders, protestors, and journalists.

Kenyan law enforcement officers were also accused of engaging in extrajudicial killings and abductions by during the protests.