KDF Under Pressure as Amnesty International Demands Answers Over Gen Z Protests
Amnesty International has issued a strong call to the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), asking them to provide a detailed report explaining their involvement during the nationwide Gen Z protests that took place in June 2024.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, April 29, the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, Irũngũ Houghton, urged the military to come clean about their operations during the demonstrations.
He insisted that the KDF should clearly outline the procedures they followed and the interventions they made during last year’s protests.
This appeal came as Amnesty International launched its 2024/2025 Human Rights Report. Irũngũ emphasized that such a report from the KDF is crucial for rebuilding public trust in Kenya’s security forces, which many citizens believe acted with impunity during the protests.
During the same press briefing, Irũngũ also called on both the Kenya Defence Forces and the National Police Service to publicly reveal what steps have been taken against officers accused of being involved in the killing of innocent civilians during the Gen Z protests.
He further urged the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to issue an urgent update on the progress of investigations and court cases related to the tragic events of June 25, 2024.
“The Kenyan people need clear proof that anyone responsible for serious crimes will be held fully accountable,” Houghton stated firmly.
According to Amnesty International, the year 2024 was marked by repeated violations of human rights and freedoms that are protected by Kenya’s Constitution.
These violations included the suppression of the right to peaceful protest, restriction of freedom of expression, and widespread use of violence against civilians.
In his address, Irũngũ revealed that during the protests in June 2024, at least 65 people lost their lives, 89 individuals were forcibly disappeared, and thousands of protesters were arrested without just cause.
He also pointed out that the government’s crackdown extended into the digital space. People who criticized the government online faced enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, suspension of their social media accounts, online harassment, physical assaults, and threats.
“These actions created a chilling environment, where fear silenced public criticism and discouraged civic engagement,” said the rights group leader.
Irũngũ also acknowledged the recent release of the BBC Africa documentary titled Blood Parliament, which aired just a day earlier.
He said the investigation provided further evidence of the excessive and brutal force used against peaceful demonstrators, especially on June 25, 2024.
In addition to addressing the Gen Z protests, Irũngũ criticized President William Ruto’s government for what he described as a failure to effectively tackle the growing problem of femicide in Kenya.
He highlighted a troubling increase in the number of women killed in the country, particularly in 2024.
He disclosed that 170 women had been murdered this year alone—a figure nearly twice the number killed in 2023 and five times higher than the number recorded in 2016.
Calling for urgent action, Irũngũ asked the government’s Taskforce on Gender-Based Violence to propose strong recommendations.
He also urged the Ministry of Gender, Arts, and Heritage to fast-track the implementation of comprehensive measures aimed at preventing and punishing crimes against women and girls.
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