The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Faith Odhiambo, has condemned the violent attack by masked assailants who stormed a press conference at the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) offices, terming it a “grave assault on constitutional freedoms.”
In a strongly worded joint statement on Sunday, July 6, 2025, with the Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG), Odhiambo described the attack as a calculated effort to intimidate journalists, mothers of victims of police brutality, and human rights defenders ahead of the Saba Saba demonstrations.
“This brazen act of targeting vulnerable women, children, and members of the press represents a dangerous regression for our democracy. The use of armed goons to suppress the voices of the people as they agitate for a better society and country is out of order,” said Odhiambo.
The statement detailed how a group of around 50 masked individuals, wielding clubs and pickaxes, invaded the KHRC offices during a presser attended by close to 100 people, mostly mothers and families of the disappeared and slain.
The attackers forced the gathering to disperse, issuing threats and creating panic.
“It is shocking that such an act of violence can happen in broad daylight in the capital, at a peaceful gathering aimed at calling for accountability and justice. This is a clear attempt to shut down civic space,” Odhiambo noted.
Pattern of intimidation
She further decried the growing pattern of intimidation against KHRC, citing the recent deportation of the commission’s Program Advisor, Ugandan national Martin Mavenjina, on July 5. “These actions indicate a deliberate effort to cripple the work of human rights organizations,” she said.
Odhiambo added that the attack was particularly egregious given the presence of women and children, many of whom have been directly affected by police brutality and enforced disappearances.
“The targeting of journalists at the event was also an unacceptable affront to press freedom,” she emphasized, urging the Inspector General of Police to swiftly investigate the matter and apprehend those responsible.
LSK and PRWG are now demanding immediate action from security agencies to uphold the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association as guaranteed by the Constitution.
“We will not sit back as hard-won freedoms are rolled back through state-sanctioned or tolerated violence,” Odhiambo warned.
They reaffirmed their solidarity with KHRC and all human rights defenders pushing for accountability in Kenya.
