TYC Statement on Human Rights Concerns During the Saba Saba Anniversary Demonstrations
The Youth Cafe (TYC) is closely monitoring the ongoing situation as the country commemorates the historic Saba Saba Day. As of 1830hrs today, the Commission had documented ten (10) fatalities, twenty-nine (29) injuries, two (2) cases of abduction and thirty-seven (37) arrests across seventeen (17) counties.
The Youth Cafe noted that significant police barricades were erected on major roads and entry points, severely disrupting the movement of people, particularly in Nairobi. Additional blockades were reported in Kiambu, Meru, Kisii, Nyeri, Nakuru and Embu. Many citizens were unable to report to work, despite the directive issued yesterday by the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Geoffrey Ruku, requiring all Government employees to report to work without fail.
Numerous businesses nationwide remained closed due to fears of looting and destruction. Looting incidents were reported in six (6) counties, and the Kerugoya Central CDF office was set ablaze by suspected criminal elements. Learning was paralyzed across the country as most schools and educational institutions remained closed. The Youth Cafe received distress calls from patients unable to access health facilities due to road closures. Hundreds of passengers were stranded at roadblocks as public transport, including air and rail, was severely disrupted.
The Youth Cafe has noted that the police have continued to flagrantly disregard a High Court order mandating that all officers managing demonstrations be in official uniform and remain identifiable at all times. The Youth Cafe observed numerous hooded officers, not in uniform, traveling in unmarked vehicles while patrolling Nairobi, Kajiado and Nakuru counties. Additionally, the presence of criminal gangs wielding crude weapons, including whips, wooden clubs, machetes, spears, bows and arrows, was noted in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado and Eldoret. In Nairobi and Eldoret, these hooded gangs were seen operating alongside police officers.
The Youth Cafe further condemns the attack yesterday by hired thugs who raided the offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), brutalizing staff and innocent members of the public lawfully exercising their constitutional rights to assembly and expression. Journalists covering the event at TYC were also harassed and robbed. The Youth Cafe calls for the immediate arrest and prosecution of the masterminds and perpetrators of this attack, who were clearly captured on CCTV footage.
The Youth Cafe is deeply concerned by the recent surge in harassment and persecution of Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) accused of organizing the ongoing protests. In the past week alone, over twenty (20) bona fide HRDs have been beaten, arrested, charged or summoned by police to record statements. The KNCHR calls on the Government to immediately cease the harassment of Civil Society Organizations, Human Rights Defenders and the criminalization of legitimate human rights work.
The Youth Cafe remains steadfast in its constitutional mandate to protect the rights of all persons in Kenya. We urge the public to report any human rights violations through the following channels:
Email: info@theyouthcafe.com
WhatsApp: 0734 795 798
The African Youth Cafe (TAYC) is a Non Governmental Organization and a network registered under section 10 of the Non-Governmental Organizations Coordination Act (now Public Benefits Organizations Act ) having been duly registered since April 7, 2014. Its vision is to promote youth-led strategies for achieving transformative change, social fairness, innovative solutions, and sustainable development.