Kenya Human Rights Commission offices attacked by goons

Kenya Human Rights Commission Offices Attacked by Goons

By Julia Moraa

In a disturbing turn of events, the offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission in Nairobi were attacked by an armed gang on Sunday just hours before the country's annual "Saba Saba Day" commemoration.

The bold assault, which saw "goons" force their way into the human rights organization's headquarters, sent shockwaves through civil society and raised grave concerns about the shrinking democratic space in Kenya.

The attack occurred as the KHRC was preparing to host a press conference in collaboration with the Women's Collective Kenya, a grassroots rights movement. The purpose of the briefing was to demand "an immediate end to arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings"—issues that had fueled recent large-scale protests against the government of President William Ruto.

According to those in attendance, approximately 20 individuals, some armed with sticks, stormed the KHRC compound, even though the gates were locked. The goons were attacking and robbing attendees, saying they were planning protests.

The meeting had not yet commenced, forcing many attendees to flee for safety.