Kenya slammed over silence on Sudan abuses

Human Rights Watch deputy Africa director Laetitia Bader during the launch of the report /HANDOUT

A new report has faulted African countries, including Kenya, for continued weakening of institutions that has enabled human rights abuses. 

The report by Human Rights watch cited criminalising of the opposition, attacks on the media and threats to withdraw from international bodies as some of the impunities. 

Kenya has been slammed for failing to hold perpetrators of killings and abuses on Gen-Z protesters and activists in 2024 and 2025 responsible. 

According to the report authorities escalated formal and informal attacks against activists, civil society groups and the media.

“State security forces continued killings, abductions and arbitrary arrests. On June 7, plain clothes officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) arrested Albert Ojwang, a 31-year-old high school teacher and blogger, over a blog deemed critical of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Eliud Langat,” the report says.

The report says Ojwang’s was just one of the many alleged cases of killings, abductions, disappearances, and arbitrary arrests by state security forces.

Allan Ngari, Africa Advocacy director said what is more worrying is the abuses being normalised and dismissal of accountability as foreign interference. 

He faulted the AUC over lack of political courage and avoidance of naming perpetrators of the atrocities.

“Institutions like the African Union Commission have failed to act owing to informal diplomacy and political bargain,” Ngari said during the report.

Deputy Africa director Laetitia Bader said like civilians, neighbouring countries such as Kenya are also bearing the brunt of armed conflicts.

While she appreciated efforts Kenya is making peace efforts in South Sudan, she said it should also call out the United Arabs Emirates for allegedly funding Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces.

“Kenya should call out RSF for horrific abuses of human rights. The funders need to be named and shamed and held accountable for their actions,” Bader said.

Sudan has accused the UAE of supporting RSF in the civil war.

Khartoum argues the UAE is "complicit in the genocide" of the Masalit community, in West Darfur, through its military, financial and political backing for the RSF.

In response, the UAE has strongly rejected Sudan's allegations, calling the case a "cynical publicity stunt", and saying it will seek an immediate dismissal.

Since the war began in April 2023, both the RSF and the Sudanese army have been accused of committing atrocities.

Beyond alleged unlawful killings, the report highlights what it describes as escalating attacks on civil society, freedom of expression and the media.

On June 25, during protests marking the anniversary of the June 2024 demonstrations, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CAK) ordered media houses, including social media-based platforms, to stop live coverage of the protests.

“The authorities further continued to target social media activists critical of the government, including those posting on Facebook, TikTok and X, arbitrarily arresting and charging them with offences related to cybercrime and terrorism,” the report says.

In June, police raided 35-year-old Rose Njeri’s home, arrested and detained her for three days.