**Kenya Rights Groups Report Allegations of Torture Following Protests**
In a troubling development, six individuals in Kenya have come forward with allegations of torture and abuse following their arrest during a memorial gathering for victims of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests. The group, which includes Collins Ochieng, Muteti Mulinge, Michael Ngigi, Elisha Alam, Fredrick Ojiro, and Christine Walubengo, was reportedly found abandoned by the roadside in various locations across Nairobi on Saturday morning, June 25, 2026.
According to reports from Amnesty International Kenya, the six individuals went missing after being detained by police on Thursday, June 22, during demonstrations commemorating the second anniversary of the protests that resulted in the deaths of 60 people at the hands of security forces. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) confirmed that three additional protesters were also discovered in similar circumstances, all of whom reported experiencing severe physical assault while in police custody. However, one individual, identified as Davis Lichuma, remains unaccounted for.
The KHRC's statement on social media highlighted the urgent need for accountability, stating, “Three more comrades have been found dumped. Together with the three who were found earlier, they report being brutally assaulted by police while in custody.” The organization called for an independent investigation into the allegations of torture and urged that those responsible be held accountable.
Amnesty International Kenya has echoed these sentiments, demanding an immediate and impartial investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. The organization emphasized that the allegations of torture and inhumane treatment must be taken seriously, stating, “These allegations of torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment demand an immediate, independent and impartial investigation.”
The six protesters were reportedly arrested outside the Kenyan Parliament, where they were participating in the memorial event. Following their detention, they became unreachable, prompting rights groups to call for their immediate release. Upon their discovery, they were found with visible injuries and were subsequently taken to a hospital for medical treatment.
The unrest surrounding the memorial gathering is part of a broader context of civil discontent in Kenya. On the same day as the arrests, Kenyan Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen reported that approximately 355 individuals were detained nationwide as protests unfolded. Many of those arrested appeared in court the following day.
Kenya has a long-standing history of police violence and enforced disappearances, particularly during periods of civil unrest. A police watchdog reported that at least 127 individuals lost their lives during protests in June and July 2024, as well as during similar protests in 2025, with security forces often acting with near-total impunity.
As the situation continues to develop, rights groups are closely monitoring the government's response to these allegations and the ongoing protests. The call for justice and accountability remains a central theme among activists advocating for the protection of human rights in Kenya.