rights groups sue state over pre-election violence
Six human rights organisations want the High Court to order investigations into alleged organised attacks on political gatherings.
Six human rights organisations have filed a lawsuit at the High Court in Nairobi seeking to compel state agencies to investigate alleged organised attacks on political, civic, and religious gatherings. The Kenya Human Rights Commission, Katiba Institute, and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit are among the petitioners accusing the state of failing to prevent, investigate, and prosecute politically motivated violence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The petitioners want the court to order the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service and the Inspector-General of Police to investigate these attacks and the networks behind them. They also seek orders to preserve evidence like CCTV footage and communication records, and to forward investigation files to the Director of Public Prosecutions. The groups want a joint report within 60 days detailing investigation progress.
The lawsuit also asks the court to direct the state to establish a dedicated, funded multi-agency task force within 30 days to investigate and prosecute politically motivated gang violence. This team would include personnel from the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, working with the DPP. The petitioners seek to ensure accountability for violence that undermines constitutional freedoms.
Why it mattersSix human rights groups are suing the Kenyan state to force investigations into political violence that threatens fundamental freedoms before the 2027 elections.