Editor's Review

KHRC calls for a stop to what they described as systematic intimidation of human rights defenders.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has strongly condemned alleged police surveillance and harassment of Otsieno Namwaya, Associate Africa Director at Human Rights Watch.

In a statement released on Saturday, August 30, the rights body has demanded immediate action from Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to stop what it describes as systematic intimidation of human rights defenders in the country.

The commission characterized the actions as a deliberate attempt to silence critical voices exposing state abuses, and called for the immediate cessation of all forms of surveillance, intimidation, and harassment of Namwaya.

"The William Ruto regime must guarantee the safety of all human rights defenders," the statement read. "Ruto should know that persecuting those who defend rights only deepens Kenya's crisis of impunity and will not deter our collective struggle for justice and accountability."

The allegations stem from surveillance activities that took place over several days in August.

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Security officials reportedly conducted monitoring operations at Namwaya's residence. The incidents followed weeks of attempts by individuals believed to be from the Operation Support Unit to gain access to the human rights defender.

Otsieno Namwaya, associate Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

Neighborhood witnesses reported seeing groups of plainclothes officers operating around Namwaya's home. The surveillance team allegedly used multiple vehicles and maintained regular communication with officers at a nearby police station during their operations.

Local sources described seeing the surveillance team taking photographs of the property while maintaining extended observation periods.

The recent surveillance incidents are said to be part of a broader, months-long campaign by government security officials to locate and access Namwaya through various channels and contacts.

Sources within police circles have indicated that the monitoring operations are being coordinated by senior members of the Operation Support Unit, which operates under the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.