Youth around the world are mobilizing to fight for rights and and justice, but in Kenya being a social justice activist could get you killed!

In June and July, hundreds of thousands of youth took to the streets in major towns and cities across Kenya to protest against a draconian finance bill and the economic hardships it would bring when many are already impoverished and more and more hopeless. 

In response, the government lashed out to violently crush the movement, and so far 60 innocent young Kenyans were killed, including a 12-year-old child, over 600 were severely injured by police forces, including journalists, and over 1300 arrests were made including 60 activist abductions right off the streets, possibly leading to torture at the hands of the police.

(Listen below to this direct video appeal from a Kenyan activist)

In a so-called democratic country, protest should be a right not a crime! 

The government's repression of activism is shameful! and must be condemned by our allies in the international community.

We need you to join us in calling for the following immediate measures from the Kenyan regime:

1. Release all protesters still in custody unconditionally
2. Hold the police officers who are responsible for the deaths of innocent Kenyans during the protests to account
3. Stop abductions, intimidations and harassment of the protesters and popular voices including those of journalists covering the protests 

Wherever you are, if you are fighting for justice, we need to stand together. We thank you for your time and support!

References:

1. Reuters: Kenya rights groups decry abductions as government cracks down on protests 
 https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/kenya-rights-groups-decry-abductions-government-cracks-down-protests-2024-07-05/

2. Kenya Human Rights Coalition -Right to protest: Police must stop violence, act on goons
https://khrc.or.ke/press-release/right-to-protest-police-must-stop-violence-act-on-goons/

3. Al Jazeera: How Kenya’s protesters faced death to hold their leaders to account
https://www.aljazeera.com/program/al-jazeera-close-up/2024/7/7/how-kenyas-protesters-faced-death-to-hold-their-leaders-to-account