Kenya recorded 159 cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in 2024, marking a worrying spike in human rights violations, according to a new report by the civic coalition Missing Voices.
The report, released this week, shows that 104 of the cases were police-related killings, accounting for 65 percent of the total, while 55 cases—35 percent—were enforced disappearances.
Notably, the number of enforced disappearances surged by 450 percent from just 10 in 2023 to 55 in 2024, the highest ever recorded by the coalition.
“This sharp increase in disappearances signals a serious regression in the protection of civil liberties,” the report states.
Overall, the number of documented cases rose by 24 percent compared to 2023. While police killings dropped by 12 percent—from 118 in 2023 to 104 in 2024—the spike in disappearances has raised fresh concerns among rights defenders.
The report links the sharp rise in violations to political unrest and nationwide protests led by Kenya’s youth—mainly Gen Z and Millennials—against the controversial Finance Bill 2024. June emerged as the deadliest month, with 38 police killings and 15 enforced disappearances reported. July and August also saw increased incidents during the height of the demonstrations.
Nairobi County was the epicenter of police-related killings with 38 cases, followed by Kiambu (9), Migori (6), and Kakamega and Nakuru with five each. Makueni and Uasin Gishu counties reported four killings each.
A grim demographic breakdown reveals that most of the victims were young people aged between 18 and 34, who made up 79 of the deaths. Seven of the victims were minors under 18, while 18 were over the age of 34.
Despite the alarming figures, the coalition decried a persistent lack of accountability, noting that less than 2 percent of police killings are ever prosecuted. Many families of the disappeared continue to suffer without closure, compensation, or justice.
“We are witnessing systemic impunity,” the report warned, calling on authorities to urgently implement police oversight reforms and prioritize justice for victims.
