Human rights organisations are demanding the immediate and unconditional release of three activists who were arrested on June 26 and are currently being held at Muthaiga Police Station.
The three John Mulingwa Nzau alias Garang, Mark Amiani alias Generali, and Francis Mwangi alias Chebukati were taken into custody in connection with allegations linked to the June 25 peaceful protests.
Led by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), they have termed the arrests as an attempt to silence dissent and criminalise civic action.
According to the group, the charges levelled against the activists, including incitement and malicious property damage, are baseless and meant to intimidate human rights defenders.
“These arrests represent a violation of both the Constitution of Kenya and international human rights law,” the statement read.
“We urge the state not to use the events of June 25 as a pretext for criminalizing peaceful protest, silencing dissent, and shrinking civic space.”
The DCI in a statement, had said that the three were arrested as suspects involved in orchestrating violence during the June 25 demonstrations.
According to the DCI, the suspects were linked to incidents of theft, incitement, and destruction of property in parts of Nairobi and Machakos.
The DCI added that investigations were ongoing and that more arrests could follow.
They further claimed the trio had “mobilized and led groups that disrupted public order under the guise of protest.”
But human rights defenders argue that the June 25 protests were largely peaceful and constitutionally protected under Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution, which guarantees every citizen the right to assemble, demonstrate, and picket peacefully.
They also contend that the presence of violence was due to infiltration by armed criminal elements allegedly operating with state protection.
They are now demanding an immediate and unconditional release of Garang, Generali, and Chebukati.
They have further called for full accountability for the disappearance of Ndiangui Kinyagia, an online blogger who was taken by the DCI at his residence for allegedly drafting the June 25 timetable and his whereabouts remain unknown.
They are also demanding that an independent inquiry be formed to look into the organised violence during the June 25 protests and the role of the police.
The rights groups also want an end to the intimidation and criminalisation of civic actors and peaceful demonstrators, saying the detainees are all respected figures in the human rights space.
Nzau, from Nairobi, is affiliated with the Social Justice Centres Working Group and has documented cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.
Amiani, based in Kisumu, has championed civil liberties and accountability, while Mwangi works with the Ruaraka Social Justice Centre documenting police abuse and advocating for social justice.
The activists described the charges as “trumped-up” and said they represent a broader strategy to suppress civic freedoms.
The statement noted that the three are known not only for their activism but also for using art and music as tools for resistance and public awareness.
They further alleged that protests have recently been disrupted by armed groups working in apparent coordination with security agencies.
Activists said that peaceful demonstrators were assaulted, some even sexually, and teargas was unleashed by police on non-violent gatherings.
“What is most alarming is the increasing evidence that these criminal elements were not acting alone. Police officers were seen escorting and directing them while unleashing teargas and force on peaceful citizens,” the statement noted.
“Kenya is not a police state. We will not be silenced,” the statement concluded, amid growing public concern over the shrinking space for civil liberties and lawful dissent.
