Human rights groups have raised fresh concerns after alleging that six human rights defenders were abducted during the June 25 protests.
The groups alleged that while hundreds of peaceful protesters were arrested during the memorial demonstrations, six frontline human rights defenders were allegedly separated from the rest, abducted and subjected to torture and other forms of cruel treatment.
According to the survivors' accounts, they were bundled into unmarked vehicles, blindfolded, driven for hours and severely beaten while being interrogated about the funding of the protests.
The groups said at least six activists arrested later resurfaced in different parts of Nairobi with visible injuries, alleging they had been tortured before being abandoned.
One of them, Davis Lichuma, was found alive days after his disappearance but was reportedly unable to speak.
The Defenders Coalition condemned the alleged torture and enforced disappearances, saying the reported incidents point to a dangerous erosion of civic space as Kenya moves closer to the 2027 General Election.
Executive director Kamau Ngugi said the reported incidents should concern all Kenyans.
"It is particularly concerning recalling a similar playbook was deployed in neighbouring countries resulting in questionable outcome."
Ngugi said the reported targeting of human rights defenders was particularly alarming.
"What we are seeing is uncalled for violence but even more alarming trend of surveilling, enforced disappearances of frontline activists to brutalise them into silence,” he said.
“It is not a coincidence that six frontline human rights defenders out of hundreds of peaceful protesters arrested were diverted into non-gazetted torture chambers where they underwent horrific torture, cruel and degrading treatment. It is chilling."
"The use of brute force to suppress public calls for good governance, accountability and respect for human rights does not wish away people's grievances. This only invites more people to speak out because they know too well that the cost of remaining silent is too high," Ngugi said.
Happy Olal, convener of the Social Justice Movement, also condemned the reported abductions and torture.
"I condemn the use of torture and abduction of activists especially during protests. We are living in a constitutional democracy and protest is well recognised by our constitution," Olal told the Star.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights documented at least 63 deaths, 610 injuries and 74 enforced disappearances during the 2024 protests, with 26 people still unaccounted for.
According to the Missing Voices coalition, enforced disappearances rose by 450 per cent in 2024, from 10 cases in 2023 to 55.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said only three of the 62 protest-related deaths had reached court, while 46 cases remained under investigation.
IPOA also cited systemic concerns, including excessive use of force, inadequate police preparedness and a lack of accountability.
Its investigations documented instances in which police vehicles allegedly concealed registration plates while some commanders hid their badges and name tags, a practice it described as "anonymisation".
The conduct of security agencies has also come under legal challenge.
The Katiba Institute has filed contempt proceedings, alleging that authorities defied court orders by erecting unannounced roadblocks ahead of the June 25 memorial marches.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga also criticised what he described as a troubling pattern of brutality, calling for investigations into the deployment of masked police officers during demonstrations.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said 355 people were arrested during the June 25 demonstrations.
He said those arrested were expected to face charges including robbery, malicious damage to property, obstruction of roads and attempted theft.
