BY ZAINAB SAID | 5484 MEDIA | NAIROBI, KENYA
- Two human rights activists arrested as peaceful procession begins in Nairobi
- Families demand accountability for killings during 2024/2025 anti-government protests
Police arrest two human rights activists, Julius Kamau and Collins Otieno, at Nairobi’s Jeevanjee Gardens as families of victims of the 2024/2025 anti-government protests gather for a planned peaceful march to Nairobi State House, Kenya’s seat of power
The arrests occur shortly after the procession begins, with the two activists taken to Central Police Station, heightening tension among grieving families and supporters who say they have formally notified authorities of their intentions.
Parents and relatives of youths killed during the protests organize the march to seek an audience with President William Ruto, demanding justice and accountability they say remain long delayed.
In a notice submitted to police, the families emphasize that the procession is peaceful, beginning at Jeevanjee Gardens at 9:00 in the morning and proceeding to State House.
They carry flowers and the Kenyan national flag, insisting the gathering is not a protest but a solemn plea for justice for their loved ones.
Kelvin Simba, the brother of slain protester Mike Brian Kasaine, cites findings by the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) showing that three out of every five extrajudicial killings recorded during the protests involve gunshot wounds from behind—suggesting many victims are shot while fleeing and are unarmed.
Families also point to a presidential proclamation issued on August 8, 2025, establishing a reparations framework for victims of police violence dating back to 2017. They say justice and compensation remain elusive despite the directive.
“We ask that the President finally hear the cries of families facing a Christmas without the laughter of their loved ones. We also march in solidarity with survivors left paralysed or permanently disabled,” reads part of the families’ statement.
The families urge police to respect Article 37 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to assemble and petition public authorities peacefully.
As of December 18, 2025—547 days since the killing of Rex Masai—no police officer has been held accountable, a situation the families say deepens their frustration and drives them to continue marching despite the arrests.
