Rights groups petition Parliament over alleged killings, torture and abductions
A coalition of human rights activists, civil society organisations and concerned citizens has today formally petitioned Parliament to establish a joint inquiry into alleged extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, abductions and other human rights violations linked to Kenya’s security agencies.
The petition, led by Francis Awino on behalf of the coalition, was presented to the Speakers and Members of both the National Assembly and the Senate under Article 119 of the Constitution, which grants every person the right to petition Parliament on matters within its constitutional mandate.
In the petition, the coalition argues that Parliament has both the authority and responsibility to investigate matters relating to national governance, public accountability and the protection of fundamental rights.
The petitioners say that despite Kenya’s democratic gains since the promulgation of the 2010 constitution, persistent concerns have been raised by constitutional commissions, parliamentary oversight committees, independent watchdogs, civil society organisations and international human rights groups over allegations of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, torture, unlawful detention, excessive use of force by security agencies and delays in investigating and prosecuting such cases.
According to the coalition, many families whose relatives have disappeared continue to search for answers, while unresolved cases have steadily eroded public confidence in institutions mandated to uphold justice and the rule of law.
While acknowledging the critical role played by security agencies in safeguarding national security and maintaining public order, the petition stresses that all security operations must be conducted strictly within the confines of the Constitution and the law.
The petitioners argue that accountability and effective oversight are essential to strengthening, rather than undermining, legitimate law enforcement efforts.
Among the key proposals, the coalition is seeking the establishment of a Joint Parliamentary Select Committee comprising members of both the National Assembly and the Senate to conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the alleged human rights violations.
The proposed committee would be mandated to receive evidence from victims, affected families, constitutional commissions, independent oversight bodies, security agencies, civil society organisations, legal practitioners and members of the public before making recommendations to Parliament.
The petition also calls for a comprehensive review of existing laws governing policing, arrests, detention, public order management, crowd control operations and the use of force and firearms.
Additionally, the coalition wants Parliament to strengthen oversight of institutions responsible for investigating complaints against law enforcement officers, require periodic reports on investigations and prosecutions, and develop a national framework for victim support, witness protection and reparations.
The petitioners maintain that Parliament’s intervention is necessary to reinforce accountability mechanisms, restore public confidence in governance institutions and ensure that the constitutional rights and freedoms guaranteed to all Kenyans are effectively protected in practice.
