A lobby group has filed a petition at the East African Court of Justice accusing President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua of committing crimes against humanity.

The group, Bunge La Mwananchi, says that the head of State and other key government officials including, the nominee for Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kithure Kindiki, and Nairobi County Polce Commander Adamson Bungei should be held accountable for the lives lost during recent anti-government protests.

“During the … Gen Z demonstrations in Kenya there were numerous instances of police brutality resulting in the deaths of multiple protesters,” read the petition by Bunge la Mwananchi president Francis Awino.
“The protests, initially sparked by the controversial Finance Bill 2024, escalated as security forces responded with excessive force.

“According to the eyewitnesses and human rights organisations, armed police and military personnel were observed shooting at unarmed protesters, including some who were not actively in the demonstrations.”

Awino alleges that the police used excessive force under Kindiki’s instructions. The lobby group also wants the government held accountable for arbitrary arrests and abductions.

Inhumane treatment

“Numerous protesters have been arrested without due process. Reports indicate that many detainees were subjected to inhumane treatment while in custody,” said Awino.

He also wants the court to rule on suppression of the media and communication, violence against human-rights defenders, demolitions and forced evictions.

The lobby now wants the court to hold President Ruto, DP Rigathi Gachagua and Kindiki Kithure responsible for the deaths and the injuries suffered. The respondents were given 45 days to respond.