More updates on the situation in Kenya, and the links between Kenyan police to international governments and agencies

Over the last two decades there have been many examples of Kenyan police terrorism and abuse towards workers, farmers, migrants, and social justice and human rights activists.

• Police Brutality during 2017 Presidential Elections: During the 2017 Kenyan presidential election, the police were accused of excessive use of force against protesters. Human rights groups and international observers documented cases of police brutality, including the use of live ammunition against protesters, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries. In response, civil society organizations and opposition leaders called for investigations into police conduct and accountability for human rights abuses.

• Crackdown on Civil Society Organizations: In 2015, the Kenyan government passed a controversial law regulating non-governmental organizations (NGOs), which gave the government broad powers to restrict and shut down organizations deemed to be engaging in activities that are contrary to the national interest. The law was seen as an attempt to silence civil society organizations that had been critical of the government's policies, including its human rights record and its handling of corruption scandals.

• Arrest of Trade Union Officials: In 2016, the Kenyan government arrested officials of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) for organizing a protest against the government's handling of the economy. The government accused the union officials of inciting violence and disrupting public order. The arrests were widely criticized by civil society groups and international organizations, who called for the release of the officials and respect for workers' rights.

• Protests against Police Killings: In 2019, protests broke out in Kenya following the killing of a human rights lawyer and two other men by police officers. The protests were organized by civil society organizations and opposition politicians, who accused the government of using the police to silence dissent and suppress opposition. The protests were met with a heavy-handed response from the police, leading to further clashes and arrests.

• LGBT Rights and Police Violence: LGBT rights activists in Kenya have reported frequent incidents of police harassment and violence. In 2015, a Kenyan court upheld a law criminalizing homosexuality, despite protests from civil society organizations and international human rights groups. LGBT activists have accused the police of using the law as a pretext to harass and abuse LGBT people, including arbitrary arrests, physical assaults, and blackmail. Civil society groups have called for the repeal of the law and greater protection for LGBT rights in Kenya.

• In 2018, police in Nairobi were accused of using excessive force against opposition supporters who were protesting against the country's election commission. The police reportedly used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the protesters, leading to several deaths and injuries. The incident was widely condemned by human rights groups and opposition leaders, who accused the government of using excessive force to suppress dissent.

• In 2020, the police in Nairobi were criticized for their handling of a peaceful protest by health workers who were demanding better pay and working conditions. The police reportedly used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters, leading to several injuries. The incident sparked outrage among health workers and civil society organizations, who accused the government of using force to silence legitimate demands.

• In 2019, the police in Kisumu were accused of using excessive force against protesters who were demonstrating against a proposed increase in taxes. The police reportedly used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the protesters, leading to several deaths and injuries. The incident sparked widespread condemnation from civil society organizations and opposition leaders, who accused the government of suppressing dissent and violating human rights.

• In 2017, the police in Kisumu were accused of using excessive force against protesters who were demonstrating against the outcome of the presidential election. The police reportedly used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the protesters, leading to several deaths and injuries. The incident was widely condemned by human rights groups and opposition leaders, who accused the government of using force to silence legitimate dissent.

• In 2021, the police in Nakuru were criticized for their handling of a peaceful protest by members of a local community who were demanding compensation for land that was taken over by a foreign investor. The police reportedly used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the protesters, leading to several injuries. The incident was condemned by civil society organizations and community leaders, who accused the police of using force to protect the interests of the foreign investor at the expense of local communities.

International organizations that are linked to Kenyan police training 

• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP): The UNDP has provided support to the Kenyan police in areas such as community policing, anti-corruption, and human rights training. In 2018, the UNDP signed an agreement with the Kenyan government to support the National Police Service in various areas, including modernization, equipment, and capacity building.

• United States Agency for International Development (USAID): USAID has supported the Kenyan police in various areas such as community policing, human rights, and combating gender-based violence. In 2016, USAID launched the Security Governance Initiative in Kenya, which aims to enhance the capacity of the Kenyan police and other security agencies.

• United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID): DFID has provided support to the Kenyan police in areas such as community policing, human rights, and combating gender-based violence. In 2019, DFID launched a project to support the Kenyan police in improving their public service delivery, accountability, and community engagement.

• European Union (EU): The EU has provided support to the Kenyan police in areas such as community policing, anti-corruption, and human rights training. In 2020, the EU launched a project to support the Kenyan police in improving their capacity to investigate and prosecute terrorism cases.

• International Police Organization (INTERPOL): INTERPOL has provided training and technical assistance to the Kenyan police in areas such as border security, cybercrime, and counterterrorism. In 2020, INTERPOL launched a project to support the Kenyan police in combating wildlife crime.

The role of Israel and Israeli companies in training and supporting Kenyan police

Israel has played a role in training and supporting Kenyan police through various initiatives. In 2014, Israel signed an agreement with Kenya to help establish a counterterrorism training center, which was intended to improve Kenya's ability to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks. The center was established in 2016 and is located in Nairobi.

In addition to this, there have been reports of Israeli companies providing training and equipment to Kenyan police, particularly in the areas of surveillance and intelligence gathering. For example, in 2016, it was reported that Israeli firm Elbit Systems had won a contract to supply surveillance equipment to the Kenyan police force.

The contract was worth $40 million and involved the installation of a system of cameras and sensors across Nairobi and Mombasa, Kenya's two largest cities. The surveillance system was designed to help expand the surveillance capacity of police in the two cities.

 Israel has played a role in training and supporting Kenyan police through various initiatives. In 2014, Israel signed an agreement with Kenya to help establish a counterterrorism training center, which was intended to improve Kenya's ability to prevent and respond to terrorist attacks. The center was established in 2016 and is located in Nairobi.

Criticisms of the International agencies who support Kenyan police and military

UNDP

Regarding the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), some civil society organizations have criticized the organization's support for the Kenyan police, citing concerns about the police force's human rights record. In 2020, for example, human rights groups called on the UNDP to suspend its support for the Kenyan police following reports of extrajudicial killings and other abuses.

Some specific allegations of human rights abuses leveled against the Kenyan police force and the UNDP include:

• Extrajudicial killings: Human rights groups have accused the Kenyan police of carrying out extrajudicial killings, where suspects are killed without due process. The UNDP has been criticized for not doing enough to address this issue, and for continuing to provide support and training to the police force despite these abuses.

• Torture and ill-treatment: There have been reports of the Kenyan police using torture and ill-treatment to extract confessions from suspects. The UNDP has been accused of not doing enough to address these human rights abuses, and of failing to hold the police force accountable for such actions.

• Harassment of human rights defenders: Human rights defenders in Kenya have reported being harassed and intimidated by the police force, including being subjected to arbitrary arrests and detentions. The UNDP has been criticized for not doing enough to protect human rights defenders, and for failing to speak out against such abuses.

• Lack of accountability: There have been concerns about the lack of accountability for human rights abuses committed by the Kenyan police force. The UNDP has been accused of not doing enough to ensure that the police force is held accountable for its actions, and of failing to support efforts to establish an independent oversight mechanism to monitor police conduct.

• Lack of community participation: There have been complaints that the UNDP's support for the Kenyan police force has not adequately involved local communities in the design and implementation of programs. Some civil society groups have argued that this lack of community participation has contributed to the police force's human rights abuses.

USAID

Similarly, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has faced criticism for its support of the Kenyan police. Some Kenyan activists have accused USAID of contributing to the militarization of the police force and of turning a blind eye to human rights abuses committed by the police. In 2019, for instance, a coalition of civil society organizations called on the U.S. government to suspend its security assistance to Kenya, citing concerns about police brutality and other abuses.

• The USAID appears to be active in providing assistance to Kenyan police in the coastal areas. The coastal regions of Kenya have been particularly affected by police brutality, with human rights groups and civil society organizations documenting numerous cases of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture by security forces. In particular, the police are accused of targeting young Muslim men, whom they often label as terrorists or extremists.

• One high-profile case is the killing of human rights lawyer Willie Kimani, his client Josephat Mwenda, and their taxi driver, Joseph Muiruri, in 2016. The three men were abducted by police officers and later found dead, with evidence of torture. The case led to widespread protests and calls for police reform.

• Another case is the killing of 13 men in the coastal city of Mombasa in 2014. The men were reportedly executed by police officers in their homes, and their bodies were later found with gunshot wounds. The police claimed that the men were terrorists, but human rights groups and family members disputed this, saying that the men were young Muslim men who had been detained by police before.

EU

The European Union's (EU) support for the Kenyan police has also been the subject of criticism from some civil society groups. In 2019, for example, a coalition of Kenyan human rights groups called on the EU to suspend its support for the police, citing concerns about extrajudicial killings and other abuses committed by the police force.,

• The Kenyan government's fight against terrorism has been used to justify a number of human rights violations, including the suppression of political dissent, the targeting of specific ethnic and religious groups, and the restriction of freedom of expression and association.

• One example of this is the ongoing conflict in northern Kenya between the government and the Somali-based militant group Al-Shabaab. In the course of this conflict, there have been numerous reports of extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and other abuses committed by Kenyan security forces against ethnic Somali communities in the region. Human rights groups have accused the government of using counterterrorism as a pretext for cracking down on perceived political opposition and dissent.

• Another example is the government's response to the terrorist attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi in 2013, which was carried out by Al-Shabaab militants. In the aftermath of the attack, the government launched a crackdown on Somali refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya, leading to the arbitrary detention and deportation of thousands of individuals. Human rights groups have criticized the government for using counterterrorism measures as a cover for discrimination and abuse against refugees and asylum seekers.

• The government has also been accused of using counterterrorism laws to stifle freedom of expression and association. In 2014, the government passed a controversial Security Laws (Amendment) Act, which gave security forces sweeping powers to detain suspects without charge, conduct searches without warrants, and intercept communications without judicial oversight. The law has been criticized by human rights groups for violating basic due process rights and for enabling the government to silence political dissent and criticism.

Overall, the Kenyan government's fight against terrorism with the support of the EU, has been used as a justification for a range of human rights abuses and violations, including the suppression of political opposition, the targeting of specific ethnic and religious groups, and the restriction of basic civil liberties.

Interpol

The International Police Organization (INTERPOL) has faced scrutiny over its cooperation with the Kenyan police in areas such as counterterrorism and wildlife crime. 

• Some human rights organizations have raised concerns about the potential for abuses in the context of counterterrorism operations, while others have criticized INTERPOL's involvement in wildlife crime investigations for its potential impact on the rights of indigenous communities.

• There have been various instances where INTERPOL's support for the Kenyan police has been linked to human rights abuses and violations. One such instance occurred in 2015, when INTERPOL provided training and technical assistance to the Kenyan police as part of a counterterrorism program. This program was criticized for allegedly leading to the extrajudicial killing of terror suspects and for violating the rights of suspects who were detained and tortured without trial.

• In addition to this, INTERPOL has been accused of supporting the Kenyan police in its crackdown on political opposition and civil society organizations. In 2017, INTERPOL issued an alert for the arrest of an opposition politician, Miguna Miguna, who had been deported from Kenya. The alert was later withdrawn after it was found to be in violation of INTERPOL's rules, but it raised concerns about the organization's role in the Kenyan government's crackdown on opposition voices.

Moreover, INTERPOL has been criticized for providing support to the Kenyan police in its efforts to combat wildlife crime, without adequately addressing the human rights abuses that occur in these operations. In some instances, Kenyan police have been accused of using excessive force and carrying out extrajudicial killings in their efforts to combat wildlife crime, without proper accountability or oversight.

Initial summary

The March 2023 murder by Kenyan police of college student William Mayange during protests against declines in the standards of living and against human rights violations by Kenyan police and government are part of a long and bloody history of the Kenyan government and capitalists to maintain domination over the Kenyan workers, migrants, students, and the poor. This report is designed to demonstrate this fact and bring to light the Kenyan ruling class’ links to US, the UK, Israel, the EU and various international police organizations and projects.

In a subsequent report, we will provide further information and analysis of these international connections between world imperialism and regional capitalist governments and agencies and the Kenyan military, police, and government as a way of creating solidarity with the Kenyan masses who are fighting for a better world, one that must be achieved free of capitalist and imperialist domination and police and military murder and terror in service of capitalist rule.