This follows member states of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), raised concerns about police killings, enforced disappearances and shrinking civic space during the country’s Universal Periodic Review in Geneva.

The session comes nearly a year after youth-led protests against Kenya’s Finance Bill turned violent, with several demonstrators shot dead as they stormed parliament. Rights groups have accused police of using excessive force and carrying out abductions, many by officers concealing their identities.

“We remain concerned about the excessive use of force and violations of human rights, including killings and abductions,” said Slovakia’s representative, citing actions by both police and other security forces.

The United Kingdom, among others, pointed to broader concerns around freedoms of expression and assembly.

Responding to the criticism, Kenyan delegate Omuga highlighted steps toward police accountability. “Recent prosecutions show our resolve to deal with violations by security officers,”  he said, adding that legal amendments are being drafted to criminalise enforced disappearances.

Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, who led the Kenyan delegation at the peer review, said Kenya would review the recommendations made during the session.

Several countries urged Kenya to ratify international treaties such as the Convention on Enforced Disappearances, adopt stronger protections for journalists and human rights defenders, and align surveillance laws with global privacy standards. Other recommendations included strengthening legal protections for human rights defenders and journalists, enforcing the right to privacy through surveillance reform, improving access to justice through legal aid, and fully operationalising the National Coroner Service.

The UPR Working Group is expected to adopt Kenya’s review outcome on May 7, when Kenya may formally respond to the recommendations presented during the session.

--Reuters--