A violent gang raided the office of the Kenyan Human Rights Commission (KHRC) on Sunday at a press conference condemning state brutality, AFP reports. The attack, led by about 20 men some armed with sticks came on the eve of Saba Saba Day, an annual celebration of Kenya’s pro-democracy movement of the 1990s.
The KHRC was demanding an immediate halt to extrajudicial executions, enforced disappearances, and arbitrary detentions when the gang broke through the locked gate, attacked visitors, and yelled, “You are organizing protests here,” reported an AFP correspondent at the scene.
The Women’s Collective, which organized the event together with others, verified the event on X, reporting: “Armed goons have attacked offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission.”
The nation is also under increased tension following mass protests over economic stagnation, widespread corruption, and ongoing police brutality under President William Ruto. The violent suppression of protests has killed at least 19 individuals and resulted in thousands of businesses being destroyed, especially during the nationwide protest on June 25.
Opposition activists have criticized the government for using hired goons to quash opposition, pointing to cases such as the June 17 attack in Nairobi when hundreds of club-wielding bikers interrupted anti-police demonstrations under police escort.
Kenya’s increasingly urbanized and youthful population is ever more exasperated with weak governance, and in contrast to previous generations, is less influenced by ethnic politics. “Kenya feels much more fragile than even three or four years ago,” said analyst Declan Galvin.
Even after entering into a political coalition with opposition leader Raila Odinga, President Ruto is facing increasing unrest. Analysts argue that the government’s tough approach is rebounding. “They don’t understand that the world has changed,” political scientist Gabrielle Lynch said, citing the power of social media and increased political consciousness among Kenyans these days.
