Dialogue and Civic Spaces

The hbs contributes to democratic governance and social cohesion in the region through advancing civic and political spaces for dialogue. We partner with civil society, academia, private sector and decision makers from the region and beyond to discuss pertinent issues with regards to political, social and economic developments affecting the region. We work with youth to explore and engage in alternative forms of politics towards a more democratic future; and support civic actors to leverage new approaches to protect and advance spaces for democratic practice.

POLICE KILLINGS INCREASE BY 20% IN 2025 AMID PROTEST CRACKDOWN

Article

The 2025 Missing Voices Annual Report reveals a troubling paradox: while overall violations declined, police killings rose sharply by 20%, with young men, especially in Nairobi, bearing the brunt of this violence. Most deaths occurred during protest periods, underscoring persistent concerns about the use of excessive force by law enforcement. Although enforced disappearances dropped significantly, weak legal frameworks and limited accountability mechanisms continue to deny justice to victims and their families, raising urgent questions about policing, civic space, and human rights in Kenya.

MISSING VOICES ANNUAL REPORT 2024: ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES INCREASED BY 450% IN 2024

Press Release

There are five major highlights of this year’s 2024 Missing Voices Report Enforced disappearances by police up by nearly five times from 2023 June and July were the deadliest months, same in 2023 Nairobi was the deadliest county for EJKs followed by Kiambu and Migori Less than 2% of police related EJKs are in court Most victims of enforced disappearances were neither prosecuted nor allowed to demonstrate their innocence in court of law. They have not received justice or compensation by the time of the report.

Image by the Star Digital_Compensation of Victims of Demonstrations and Public Protests

The Price of Justice? Kenya’s Compensation Plan and the Struggle Against Impunity

Kenya’s newly announced compensation framework for victims of police brutality and enforced disappearances has been welcomed as a step toward redress. But can money alone deliver justice? Without accountability, institutional reform, and an end to impunity, financial settlements risk becoming token gestures.

Javan Ofula, Faiba Kombo

A citizen Guide on your responsibilities and rights.

Have you ever wondered what it means to be a citizen? Is it all about possessing a Kenyan Identification Card and/or passport? How about what are your rights and responsibilities as a citizen? Being a citizen is more than just being legally recognized. You have a responsibility to defend and protect your rights as well as those of everyone else in the community. Heinrich Boell Foundation in collaborated with LightBox Africa developed a Citizen Guide. Change Ni Sisi Scroll down to learn more about some of your rights and responsibilities as a citizen that you take for granted.

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Recent Publications

Unbowed for Justice

The 2025 Missing Voices Annual Report documents 131 cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in Kenya, reflecting an overall decline in violations compared to 2024. However, this apparent progress masks a worrying trend: a sharp rise in police killings and continued concerns about the use of excessive force, particularly during periods of public protest.

Missing voices

Missing Voices Annual Report 2024 | Brutal Policing

Missing Voices documented a total of 159 cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in 2024. Out of the 159 cases, 104 (65%) were incidents of police-related killings, while 55 (35%) were those of enforced disappearances. 2024 marked the year that the coalition recorded the highest number of cases of enforced disappearances. Before then, 2019 had the highest number of cases of enforced disappearances at 38.

Missing Voices

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Our Programme goals

Defending Civic Spaces

Uwaga Music Video Launch

Article

The Uwaga album launch is subsequent to The Missing Voices Coalition (MVC) launch of a 60-page report titled “Delayed Justice,” documenting Police Killings and Enforced Disappearance (ED) in Kenya. The Wednesday, 08 June, 2022 sunny afternoon at the Kenya National Theatre (KNT) being peculiar for a usually chilly Nairobi June climate, climate change perhaps. What strikes you as you enter KNT is the photo exhibition that is an accurate indication of the gathering today. Nothing prepares you enough for what’s to occur inside the auditorium.

Faiba Kombo

Dialogue for Democracy

https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/patch-police-on-the-sleeve-gm1643885881-533499889?utm_source=pixabay&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_campaign=SRP_image_sponsored&utm_content=https%3A%2F%2Fpixabay.com%2Fimages%2Fsearch%2Fkenya%2520police%2F&utm_term=kenya+police

POLICE IMPUNITY: WHAT THE MARAGA TASKFORCE SAID

The Maraga Task Force submitted its report to President William Ruto in November 2023. The task force was established to identify the legal, policy, administrative, institutional, and operational challenges hindering effective service delivery by the National Police Service, Kenya Prisons Service, and the National Youth Service. This article from the Missing Voices Report 2023 provides detailed insights into the outcomes of the Maraga report.

Missing Voices

Uwaga Music Video

'Uwaga,' a music video, aimed to inspire Kenyans to stand up to police brutality by demonstrating the power of unity and reimagining a nation based on equality and justice. Uwaga, which stars Juliani, Flawless Konya, Mugureness, Anthem Republiq, and Abudabi Tembekali, was created in collaboration with the Missing Voices coalition, of which hbs Nairobi is a member.

UWAGA - Juliani, Mugureness, Anthem Republiq, Abudabi Tembekali, Flawless Konya (official video) - Missing Voices

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