Amnesty International Kenya and Odipo Dev have launched the Kenya Freedom Index, a new data-driven platform tracking violations of the constitutional right to peaceful assembly in Kenya amid escalating fuel protests.
The index analyses 1,002 protests recorded between 2020 and 2025, revealing a sharp rise in demonstrations driven by economic hardship, political grievances and environmental concerns.
According to the report, protests have more than doubled in the past two years and are increasingly met with unlawful force by security agencies.
Data from the Kenya Freedom Index shows that community residents organised the largest share of protests 360, followed by workers 235, young people 171, students 98 and civil society organisations 63.
Economic freedom concerns dominated at 452 protests, exceeding political and social grievances combined. Nairobi accounted for 29 percent of protests, followed by Nakuru at 5 percent and Mombasa at 4 percent.
Policing Response and Human Rights Concerns
Over 30 percent of documented protests were dispersed by police using tear gas, with the report recording 138 deaths, 1,227 injuries and 2,128 arrests over five years.
The findings highlight concerns over arbitrary arrests, excessive charges, pre-trial detention and intimidation used to suppress dissent.
Amnesty International Kenya and VOCAL Africa have urged the National Police Service and government to respect, protect and fulfil the right to peaceful assembly under Article 37 of the Constitution and international human rights standards.
“We must end the use of excessive and unlawful force, including live ammunition against protesters, and ensure accountability for all unlawful killings and injuries,” said Amnesty Kenya Executive Director Irungu Houghton.
Calls for Reform and Accountability
Amnesty Kenya calls for legal and policing reforms, improved data transparency, and action on underlying grievances, especially economic conditions, as Kenya approaches the second anniversary of the June 2024 Gen Z protests and prepares for the 2027 election cycle.
According to Amnesty Kenya, data was compiled from systematic mapping of protest events reported by state agencies, oversight bodies, civil society organisations and media houses, including the Ministry of Interior, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Independent Policing Oversight Authority and ACLED.
