IJM condemns police brutality during Saba Saba protests

IJM criticised the use of live ammunition during public demonstrations. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

The International Justice Mission (IJM) has expressed alarm over what it calls a surge in human rights violations during the Saba Saba protests which left at least 15 people dead and dozens more injured.

The rights group criticised the police for using live ammunition to disperse demonstrators, calling the action a clear violation of constitutional rights to life and peaceful assembly.

"We strongly condemn these killings and are deeply concerned about the rising death toll during protests," IJM stated.

The organisation, which has operated in Kenya since 2001, noted a disturbing trend of police brutality during demonstrations, referencing deadly crackdowns in 2023 and 2024.

IJM further accused the National Police Service of a pattern of arbitrary arrests, unlawful killings, and harassment of journalists and human rights defenders.

The group also condemned a separate incident on July 6, where women attending a Kenya Human Rights Commission press briefing were reportedly assaulted and robbed by unidentified individuals.

Rights groups and civil society organisations have called for independent investigations into the July 7 incidents and for the government to rein in the use of excessive force by police.