Civic Spaces

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.

Africa’s debt crisis is rapidly intensifying. Rising interest rates, climate shocks and an unfair global financial architecture are pushing many countries to the brink of default. Joe Kobuthi explains why existing debt relief initiatives fall short and which new approaches Africa needs to regain financial sovereignty.

Kenya’s debt crisis is no longer seen merely as a result of global dependence. Behind the government bonds stands a domestic elite that has shaped the system to its own advantage.

Through evocative installations and community engagement, Maskan Tour, done in collaboration with Usikimyie and Creative Garage, turns abstract statistics on femicide and policy failures into visceral, human stories that demand accountability. Explore how this unique exhibition bridges the gap between written policy and lived experience, sparking public dialogue and driving real change in the fight for justice.

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.

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.

On Wednesday, April 24th, 2024, the Missing Voices Coalition launched its 2023 Annual Report focused on the theme "End Police Impunity" at the Heinrich Boell Foundation, Nairobi Office.

The 2022 report was launched on Friday 24th March 2023 , held in Yala, marked the launch of the Accountability report, shedding light on the Statistics and Trends of Extrajudicial Killings and Enforced Disappearances in the country. 

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.