uHCHR spokesperson Elizabeth Throssell .
By Peter Mwibanda | Nairobi (IP).
NAIROBI, Kenya (IP).
The United Nations Human Rights Office on Wednesday called on Kenya’s government to stop the ongoing police killings and investigate alleged abuses, warning the country is edging toward a constitutional crisis.
In a strongly worded statement, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UHCHR) said it was alarmed by what it termed a “disturbing trend” of excessive force used against peaceful demonstrators, including youth and children.
“We are deeply troubled by credible reports of police using live ammunition against unarmed demonstrators,” said UHCHR spokesperson Liz Throssell from Geneva.
“We urge Kenyan authorities to end unlawful killings, ensure independent investigations, and hold perpetrators accountable.”
Rights watchdogs say at least 39 people have died and dozens more injured over the last three weeks during nationwide protests sparked by economic grievances, opposition to the Finance Bill, and growing anger at government accountability.
Leadership on Trial.
The UN joins a chorus of domestic voices calling for reform. Former Chief Justice David Maraga and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) have blamed a breakdown in leadership for the unrest.
“The collapse of law and order is a direct result of failed political leadership,” Maraga said during a forum in Nairobi.
“When justice is delayed or denied, and institutions are ignored, the people will take to the streets.”
NCIC Chairperson Rev. Dr. Samuel Kobia echoed the concern.
“This is a national trauma,” he said. “The solution is not bullets. It is dialogue, reform, and accountability.”
Gen Z Protests, Violent Response.
The protests have been largely driven by Gen Z activists mobilizing through digital platforms.
Many are calling for jobs, transparency, and dignity—not just tax relief. Their demands have been met with violence, abductions, and criminal charges under anti-terror laws.
“The president’s shoot-to-maim directive and police disregard for court orders reflect a government unwilling to listen,” said Wanjiru Kihoro, a human rights lawyer. “It’s a betrayal of the social contract.”
Despite constitutional protections for peaceful assembly and free expression, rights groups say police have acted with impunity.
Some protesters remain missing, while families demand answers and justice.
Global Condemnation, Local Inaction
International rights groups including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have joined the UN in condemning Kenya’s response.
They cite a pattern of brutality and a lack of accountability.
The UHCHR called for the suspension of officers implicated in the killings, compensation for victims’ families, and full cooperation with judicial oversight.
It also urged the government to guarantee the safety of journalists and civil society monitors.
President William Ruto, however, has defended the police response as necessary to maintain order.
His refusal to condemn the killings has drawn criticism from civil society and political observers alike.
Parliament has remained largely silent. Investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) have been slow, and few officers have faced consequences.
“This moment demands moral courage,” Maraga said. “The blood of the innocent cannot be the cost of political survival.”
A Democratic Reckoning.
Analysts warn that the crisis is not just about policing—it is a test of Kenya’s democratic foundations.
As frustration grows and civic space narrows, many fear the country is drifting toward authoritarianism.
Whether the state listens or doubles down may shape the next generation’s faith in democracy.
The world is watching. And so are the young Kenyans who refuse to be silenced.
Peter Mwibanda is a political analyst and human rights blogger based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Ends.
