The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has issued a strong condemnation of President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of systemic human rights violations and hypocrisy in seeking a seat on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).
In a statement posted on X, KHRC revealed that the Kenyan government has failed to respond to a letter from several UN special mandates demanding answers over what it termed an “escalating assault” on human rights defenders.
The commission cited multiple incidents of intimidation, abductions, and arbitrary arrests targeting activists and civil society leaders.
“The regime has yet to respond to the illegal rendition of KHRC’s Martin Mavenjina to Uganda, the hiring of goons to violently attack KHRC offices and women human rights defenders holding a press conference there, and the arbitrary arrests and trumped-up charges against defenders Mark Amiani, Mulingwa Nzau, Francis Mutunge Mwangi, and Boniface Mwangi,” the statement read.
KHRC accused the Ruto government of hypocrisy, saying it continues to campaign for a seat at the UNHRC while violating the very principles that body upholds.
“This same regime has the audacity to seek a seat at the UN Human Rights Council, pledging to uphold rights it systematically violates at home,” KHRC said.
The organization maintained that Kenya’s record of repression, intimidation, and disregard for international norms “disqualifies it from sitting on a body mandated to protect human rights.”
KHRC urged the government to halt its persecution of defenders and align its actions with its international obligations, stating that until then, Kenya lacks the “moral or legal legitimacy” to occupy a seat at the global rights body.
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