The Law Society of Kenya and the Police Reforms Working Group have strongly condemned an attack on the Kenya Human Rights Commission offices in Nairobi on Sunday, terming it an attempt to suppress democratic expression and silence voices demanding accountability ahead of the Saba Saba protests scheduled for Monday, July 7.

In a joint statement, the two organisations said the meeting, which brought together nearly 100 participants including families of victims of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, as well as journalists, was violently disrupted by masked and armed individuals.

“The purpose of this gathering was to call for accountability and justice for those who have died, disappeared and been injured. The presser was also to call for the de-escalation of violence witnessed across the country,” the statement read.

They revealed that the attackers, estimated to be at least 50, stormed the premises armed with clubs and pickaxes, forcing the meeting to end abruptly for the safety of those present.

“Shockingly, this exercise of democratic expression was violently disrupted by at least 50 masked individuals, armed with clubs (rungus) and pickaxes. These goons invaded the premises, issuing threats that forced the immediate dispersal of the gathering to prevent further violence and potential harm,” the groups said.

The incident was described as part of a growing wave of repression targeting human rights defenders in Kenya. The civil groups cited the recent deportation of KHRC’s Programme Advisor, Ugandan national Martin Mavenjina, on July 5, as another sign of deliberate efforts to intimidate and destabilise human rights organisations.

“This attack follows a concerning pattern of targeting the Kenya Human Rights Commission, exemplified by the deportation on July 5th of their Program Advisor, Ugandan national Martin Mavenjina. Such actions indicate a deliberate effort to intimidate and cripple human rights organizations,” the statement read.

The groups expressed concern over the intimidation of journalists who were covering the event, saying it was a direct assault on media freedom and called for protection of journalists against threats and violence.

“The targeting and intimidation of journalists at the press conference was an unacceptable attack on the freedom of the press,” they said. “Journalists must be allowed to report freely and safely without fear of reprisal or violence.”

They warned that the continued targeting of individuals and organisations focusing on police accountability and extrajudicial killings was deeply worrying, noting it undermines public trust and closes the civic space.

“The deliberate targeting of HRDs, especially those working on sensitive issues like police accountability and extrajudicial killings, creates a chilling effect and undermines the critical space for civil society,” the statement said.

The two groups said the attack was even more disturbing due to the presence of mothers and children who had already experienced trauma related to the loss or abduction of their relatives.

“Lastly, the presence of mothers and children, many of whom are already traumatised by the loss or abduction of their loved ones, makes this attack particularly heinous,” they added.

They demanded a swift and impartial investigation into the raid, calling on the Inspector General of Police and relevant authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

“We call upon the inspector general of police and all relevant security agencies to condemn, identify and apprehend the perpetrators of this violent invasion and ensure they are brought to justice without delay, regardless of their affiliations,” the statement read.

The groups also called for the protection of all individuals exercising their constitutional rights, including human rights defenders, women, and journalists, and urged security agencies to uphold freedoms of expression, assembly and association.