Leaders warn of growing repression and rights abuses in Kenya
Siaya Governor James Orengo and National Assembly Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo pointed to recent violations targeting those who challenge the political status quo.
Kenya is facing renewed fears of repression and erosion of civil liberties, with leaders warning that the country risks sliding back to an era when dissent was met with state crackdowns.
Speaking during a panel discussion at the 2025 Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, Siaya Governor James Orengo and National Assembly Minority Whip Millie Odhiambo pointed to recent violations targeting those who challenge the political status quo.
The session, which examined protection of human rights and the pursuit of social justice, also featured VOCAL Africa CEO Hussein Khalid and National Gender and Equality Commission chairperson Rehema Jaldesa.
The forum assessed the state of socio-economic, political, civil and cultural rights in Kenya, and sought strategies to make both national and county governments active defenders of human rights.
Orengo, a long-time human rights lawyer, acknowledged gains made under the Bill of Rights but said the country is witnessing a decline in respect for key freedoms.
He cited rights under threat, including the right to life, dignity, privacy, freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.
“If we examine the state of these rights over the past three years, it is evident that we are not where we ought to be. We are witnessing persistent encroachments by the state. Without the vigilance of the people, the country risks making two steps forward and one step back,” he said.
Odhiambo urged full implementation of the Constitution to shield citizens from violations, referencing recent protests in which demonstrators suffered injuries and deaths in the hands of security agencies.
Khalid voiced concern over entrenched corruption in counties, citing damning audit reports detailing ghost projects, unexplained expenditures and mismanagement of public funds.
“Devolution holds immense promise, but it is being sabotaged by the diversion of resources into the hands of a few,” he said.
Jaldesa called for deeper equality and inclusion across all levels of government, noting positive gains in youth, women and persons with disabilities’ representation in county assemblies.
