ADVERT 
Six protesters who went missing during the June 25 anniversary demonstrations in Nairobi have been found alive in different parts of the city, with civil rights organisations alleging they were subjected to torture while in custody.
The individuals, who disappeared during protests marking the 2024 Gen Z uprising, were reportedly discovered along Lang’ata Road and near Talanta Stadium. They are currently receiving treatment at a Nairobi hospital.
Civil society groups, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and Haki Africa, say the six had been unaccounted for since Thursday after being arrested outside Parliament during the demonstrations.
KHRC official Irene Soila said the group had been tracing their whereabouts before receiving reports of their discovery.
“We have been searching for them since the 25th and appealing for information,” Soila said. “They were found in separate locations and are now undergoing treatment. It is concerning that they went missing without trace and were later found injured.”
According to the organisations, all six showed signs consistent with physical abuse. However, authorities had not publicly responded to the allegations by the time of publication.
Haki Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid stated that the six were part of a group of seven individuals reported missing following the protests.
He said testimonies from the victims indicate they were moved between multiple police stations, including Nairobi Central and Parklands, before being transported to an undisclosed location.
The victims allege they were later driven out of the city, assaulted, blindfolded, and taken to what they believed was a remote area, where they were interrogated about their involvement in the protests and possible sources of funding.
“They describe being questioned about who was supporting them and why they were documenting police actions,” Khalid said.
The group further claims the individuals were released in the early hours of Friday and abandoned in different parts of Nairobi, from where they sought help.
Khalid called for an independent investigation into the incident, arguing that the allegations, if confirmed, would raise serious concerns about the conduct of security agencies.
“These are grave claims that require a transparent and thorough inquiry to establish the facts and ensure accountability,” he said.
Soila echoed the call for investigations, warning that enforced disappearances and alleged mistreatment of detainees could undermine public confidence in law enforcement if not addressed.
“At a time when citizens are exercising their constitutional right to assemble, it is critical that their safety and rights are safeguarded,” she said.
The June 25 demonstrations were held to commemorate victims of the 2024 protests, which marked a significant moment of youth-led civic action in Kenya. While largely peaceful in many areas, some incidents of confrontation and arrests were reported in Nairobi.
The latest developments are likely to intensify scrutiny on how security agencies handle public demonstrations, with rights groups urging both accountability and restraint, even as police continue to face the complex task of maintaining public order.
As investigations are awaited, the incident adds to the ongoing national conversation on balancing security enforcement with the protection of civil liberties.
