Human rights groups say militia infiltrated Azimio demonstrations

Plainclothes police officers patrol Mathare slums, Nairobi, during Azimio la Umoja demonstrations on July 19, 2023. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

Human rights groups have accused police of using excess force to quell anti-government protests against the high cost of living.

A string of kidnappings reported across the country have been linked to a sanctioned undercover squad. To evade accountability, police are accused of incorporating private militia to unleash terror on protesters.