Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi has defended Kenya’s human rights record following claims by United Nations experts that the government has failed to comply with international human rights obligations.
In an official response to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and three Special Rapporteurs, Mudavadi dismissed the allegations, saying Kenya remains committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting fundamental freedoms as enshrined in the Constitution and international treaties.
“The Government of the Republic of Kenya acknowledges receipt of your communication and reiterates our commitment to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the Constitution of Kenya, 2010,” Mudavadi said in the statement addressed to Kenya’s Permanent Mission in Geneva.He said the matters raised by the UN are already under active investigation by independent constitutional bodies, including the Judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
Mudavadi outlined several cases referenced by the UN experts, noting that those arrested or charged — including activists Boniface Mwangi, Mark Amiani, and others — were all presented before courts within the 24-hour constitutional limit and are facing due process.
He also defended the deportation of rights activist Martin Mavenjina, saying it was executed on national security grounds under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act and is currently under appeal.
Addressing concerns over restrictions on media and protests, Mudavadi said freedoms of expression and assembly are guaranteed under Articles 33 and 37 of the Constitution. He cited a recent High Court ruling that suspended a directive by the Communications Authority which had been challenged for allegedly limiting media coverage of protests.
On police conduct during protests, Mudavadi said the government applies strict guidelines on use of force and that IPOA is investigating 16 deaths linked to the June 25 demonstrations. He added that President William Ruto has appointed a 14-member panel to review compensation for victims of protests, even as the legality of the panel faces a court challenge.
Kenya, he said, has made “significant strides” in promoting civil society participation, pointing to the implementation of the Public Benefit Organizations Act in 2024, which simplifies registration and grants tax benefits to NGOs.
Mudavadi reaffirmed Kenya’s position as a “stable democracy that respects freedoms of speech, press, and assembly,” and said ongoing investigations will determine accountability in line with the country’s legal framework.
