The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has appealed to the public to help identify members of a state-hired militia who violently disrupted a press conference by Kenyan mothers on Sunday, July 6, 2025.

The incident occurred at the KHRC offices along Gitanga Road, Nairobi, on Sunday, July 6, 2025, where the mothers had gathered to speak out against arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings often reported during public protests. The meeting had been organised by Women’s Collective Kenya ahead of Saba Saba Day.

“We need your assistance in identifying these individuals. They were part of a state-hired militia that attacked people at the KHRC office yesterday during a press conference held by Kenyan mothers. The mothers were calling for an end to arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings that occur during protests,” KHRC said in a statement posted on X on Monday, July 7, 2025.

Maraga warns of anarchy

Former Chief Justice David Maraga strongly condemned the attack, terming it a direct assault on constitutional rights and a dangerous sign of shrinking civic space.

“I vehemently condemn the violence against mothers gathered at KHRC to speak up against the use of violence at tomorrow’s Saba Saba commemoration,” Maraga said in a statement posted on his official X account.

“This is not only a violation of our Constitution, but it will also lead the country into instability and anarchy,” he added.

The commission also shared CCTV footage of the incident and called on Kenyans to help name and expose the attackers. The armed group stormed the premises, scattered attendees, looted electronics, and assaulted journalists covering the event.

The timing of the attack, on the eve of Saba Saba Day, a date that marks Kenya’s struggle for democracy and civil liberties, caused widespread concern. Civil society groups say such incidents show a worrying trend of intimidation and suppression of dissent.

Maraga urged the state to protect freedom of expression and peaceful assembly and to stop using fear to silence critics.

KHRC, alongside other rights organisations, continues to call for justice and protection of civic space. They urge the public to come forward with any information that could help bring the perpetrators to book.