🚨 PRESS STATEMENT ALERT 🚨
Foreign small-scale traders in Kenya are being targeted under measures that risk sliding into xenophobia.
We stand with EAC citizens and call for lawful, non-discriminatory enforcement consistent with the Constitution, the EAC Treaty & Common Market Protocol.
⚠️ The Local Content Bill is NOT an immigration law.
Read the full statement 👇
https://t.co/6CAYp3UYco
#StopXenophobia #EACSolidarity #KenyaTrade
JOINT STATEMENT: Stop economic scapegoating. Stop xenophobia.
Kenya has a right to regulate immigration and business, but enforcement must never become a tool for nationality-based exclusion, discrimination, harassment or fear.
Our regional neighbours are not the enemy. EAC integration means free movement, equal treatment and shared prosperity.
We call on the Government of Kenya to ensure enforcement is lawful, proportionate, non-discriminatory and consistent with Kenya’s Constitution and EAC commitments.
We were pleased to meet with H.E. Henk Jan Bakker, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Kenya @NLinKenya, and hold a timely discussion on the human rights landscape and democratic governance in Kenya.
As Kenya moves towards the 2027 elections, we underscored the importance of protecting civic space, upholding fundamental freedoms, and ensuring meaningful youth participation in public affairs and decision-making processes.
We value the Netherlands Embassy's continued interest in human rights issues and look forward to strengthening partnerships that contribute to a more just, participatory, and democratic society.
@VictorNdede@hakimorara
PRESS STATEMENT
@HakiKNCHR has expressed concern over the potential human rights implications arising from recent Government directives and public statements concerning foreign nationals engaged in small-scale businesses and trade in Kenya.
The Commission’s concern follows a directive issued by H.E. President William Samoei Ruto on 2nd September 2026 regarding the closure of small businesses operated by foreign nationals, as well as a subsequent Press Statement issued on 6th September 2026 by the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry clarifying the Government’s position on work visa applications for foreign nationals.
KNCHR calls for a human rights-based approach- HRBA in the enforcement of immigration and business regulations, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that all measures undertaken uphold human dignity, equality, non-discrimination, due process and the rule of law.
(READ MORE)
Last week, we joined the @MissingVoicesKE Coalition Annual Journalists' Training on Elections, Policing and Accountability in Mombasa. As Kenya prepares for the 2027 General Elections, the training gave journalists practical skills in human rights reporting, election-related violations, digital and physical security, trauma-informed reporting, evidence preservation, and accountability mechanisms. These skills are essential to promote accurate reporting, safeguard sources, and ensure human rights violations are documented and addressed.
Read more about the training and its importance in strengthening accountability and protecting human rights ahead of 2027: https://t.co/bLjNhRLnAy
The stories shared during the commemoration of the #InternationalDayofVictimsofEnforcedDisappearances were a painful reminder of the human cost of this violation.
Families continue to live with unanswered questions years after their loved ones disappeared. For mothers, wives, children, and siblings, the uncertainty never ends. They cannot grieve, heal, or move forward because they do not know what happened to those they love.
Their testimonies underscore the urgent need for a legal framework that specifically addresses enforced disappearances, guarantees accountability, and protects every person's right to truth and justice.
Every family deserves answers. Every disappearance demands accountability.
@MothersVictims
When those in power try to silence us or cut us off from each other by limiting education, censoring ideas, blocking news, or keeping the rest of the world in the dark we don’t just sit back.
We stand together.
When ideas are hidden or censored, we go looking for them because the freedom to read, learn, and think for yourself is a human right. #WorldLiteracyDay
Rex Masai death inquest: Prosecution wraps up case after 2 years, presenting 30 witnesses and 48 exhibits; parties to proceed to written submissions before court makes determination.
As technology evolves, so do the forms of gender-based violence. Kenya's Sexual Offences (Amendment) Bill, 2026 seeks to address online abuse, from AI-generated intimate images and sextortion to stalking, grooming and voyeurism. But what could these changes mean for survivors, activists and access to justice?
Read this week's #AmnestyReads by @KaniSharlene https://t.co/cRcgWu0nSS
Recognizing the vital role of journalists in reporting on enforced disappearances, elections, policing, and accountability, Defenders Coalition and the Missing Voices Coalition @MissingVoicesKE brought together 22 journalists across the country for a four-day training to strengthen human rights reporting.
Through the training, we had insightful networking sessions with criminal justice sector actors and duty bearers to better understand their mandates and roles in policing and accountability, including @NPSOfficial_KE , @DCI_Kenya , @NPSC_KE , the Witness Protection Agency(WPA), and @IPOA_KE
To better understand the context journalists operate in, we also explored historical trends in election security, identifying early warning signs of election-related violence and human rights abuses.
The training also covered digital and physical security, data protection and digital rights, and wellbeing crucial for journalists to be able to continue with their work safely .
Today we were privileged to host @AmnestyKenya at our offices to discuss future planning & partnership on the human rights agenda. Thanks to Rajab & Edward for the insightful engagement. Our doors remain open to all partners who share our vision. #HumanRights
PRESS STATEMENT
@HakiKNCHR Condemns the Abduction of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich KNCHR is deeply concerned by the reported abduction of Standard Group Associate Editor, Mr. Alex Kiprotich on the night of 1st September 2026.
The Commission unequivocally condemns the incident and notes with relief that Mr. Kiprotich was subsequently found safe.
Abduction, unlawful deprivation of liberty, threats and intimidation are grave violations of human rights
and are against the Constitution of Kenya, the rule of law and Kenya’s international human rights obligations. The reported incident raises serious concerns regarding the rights to human dignity, liberty and security of the person, freedom of movement and freedom from torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
(READ MORE)
The right to express an opinion should never come with a risk assessment. Yet many young activists are navigating threats, intimidation, surveillance, and fear simply for exercising rights guaranteed under the Constitution. Read the full article on our website: https://t.co/j5B54PgjuZ
#AmnestyReads
Yesterday, Amnesty International Kenya joined the 2nd Daystar Media Moot Court Competition, held under the theme “Cross-Border Advocacy, Shared Public Rights.” Our Technology and Human Rights Campaigner delivered the keynote address and facilitated a session on Amnesty International Kenya’s report, The Fear, Everyone Is Feeling It, which documents the growing threat of technology-facilitated violence against young activists and human rights defenders.
The discussions highlighted an urgent reality: as digital spaces become increasingly central to civic participation, they are also being used to intimidate, silence and target those who speak out.
For human rights defenders, journalists and activists, repression no longer stops at national borders, and neither can our response.
The protection of civic space requires stronger safeguards for digital rights, accountability for those who perpetrate online violence, and regional solidarity to ensure that people can exercise their rights without fear.
We thank Daystar University and the students participating in the Moot Court for creating space for these important conversations and for engaging with the challenges facing human rights advocacy in an increasingly digital and interconnected East Africa.
Defending human rights means defending the spaces where people speak, organise and demand accountability.
This Suicide Prevention Month, we’re reminded that confidentiality is part of care. Through our ongoing #DataProtection Training with @AmnestyKenya , we are strengthening how we protect sensitive information and build trust with those seeking psychosocial support.
#mentalhealth