Six people arrested during the June 25 anniversary protests against the Finance Bill have reportedly been found beaten and abandoned along roadsides in Nairobi.
According to the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), the six activists were found in different parts of the city on Saturday, while a seventh person, Davis Lichuma, remains missing.
"Three more comrades have been found dumped. Together with the three who were found earlier, they report being brutally assaulted by police while in custody. Meanwhile, Davis Lichuma remains forcibly disappeared. His whereabouts are still unknown," KHRC posted on X.
The activists, who disappeared after being arrested by security officers during Wednesday's demonstrations, told Citizen TV they were severely beaten and tortured while being held incommunicado.
Speaking from his hospital bed, activist Fredrick Ojiro recounted the ordeal following his arrest. He said police officers were assaulting a fellow detainee whom they nicknamed "Kenyatta" because he resembled Kenya's first president, Jomo Kenyatta. Ojiro said those in the lorry pleaded with officers to stop beating the man.
"Walikuwa wanapiga jamaa tunamwita Kenyatta kwa sababu anafanana na mzee Jomo Kenyatta. So tukasema hapana, mmempiga ya kutosha bana, ebu mwache sasa," he said.
Ojiro said the group was later ordered out of the police lorry before it drove away. Moments later, three Subaru vehicles arrived, and armed men forced the six activists inside.
"Tukaambiwa shukeni. Na sasa hapo unasukumwa, tukashuka watu sita. Ile lori ikaenda na within a short time Subaru tatu zikakuja speed. Wanaume wakatoka wame-cock guns, tukaingizwa ndani," he said.
He alleged they were then subjected to a brutal assault.
"Tulipigwa man! The serious beating ilianza hapo. Shingo nimekanyagwa, kichwa nimegongwa. Tulipigwa mangumi na mateke, anakugongesha kwa ukuta na kufinywa. Kwanza kuna wakati walinigeuza wakatembea kwa mgongo yangu na maboots," Ojiro recalled.
The other activists who were later released are Collins Ochieng, Muteti Mulinge, Michael Ngigi, Elisha Alam, and Christine Walubengo.
Amnesty International Kenya said the six had been held without access to lawyers or family members.
The incident has reignited domestic and international concern over allegations of police brutality in Kenya.
In a statement to Al Jazeera, Amnesty International Kenya said: "These allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment demand an immediate, independent and impartial investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, and those responsible must be held accountable."
The arrests took place during demonstrations marking the second anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z protests against the Finance Bill.
According to videos seen by TNX Africa, activists had gathered peacefully near the heavily guarded Parliament precincts to lay flowers in memory of the estimated 60 people killed during the 2024 protests.
Despite the peaceful memorial, police erected barbed wire barricades, dispersed demonstrators, and arrested 355 people nationwide.
The incident sparked widespread reaction online, with many Kenyans condemning the alleged treatment of the activists.
On X, Sholla Ard wrote: "Why would any government use the police to carry out such alleged inhumanity against protesters?"
Another user, Rational Maverick, posted: "Narcissism is an understatement. What have innocent Kenyans done to deserve this brutality and hostiles from our so called leaders?"