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As tensions rise around the Gen Z-led demonstrations in Kenya, twelve foreign missions have stepped into the fray, issuing a rare public statement urging the Kenyan government to uphold international policing standards. At the heart of the warning is the deployment of plainclothes and masked police officers—a tactic that these missions argue is unlawful, intimidating, and fundamentally undermines the right to peaceful assembly.
The diplomatic bloc, which includes missions from the United States, Canada, Germany, and several EU states, emphasized that police must be clearly identifiable during crowd control operations. They warned that the failure to observe these standards would not only violate Kenya's Constitution but could also strain its global standing on human rights.
Human rights groups have long raised alarms over Kenya’s use of non-uniformed personnel in protests. These officers, often unmarked and sometimes masked, have reportedly made violent arrests, used live bullets, and carried out beatings—all while blending into the crowd.
In recent protests, particularly those linked to the Finance Bill and the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, these units have become increasingly aggressive. Civil society organisations, including Amnesty International Kenya, KHRC, and the Law Society of Kenya, have documented consistent abuse, arbitrary arrests, and disappearance-like detentions—all carried out by individuals whose identities remain concealed.
The diplomatic message was clear: Kenya is treading dangerously close to international legal violations. The UN Human Rights Committee stipulates that any deployment of undercover personnel in public gatherings must be:
-Strictly necessary.
-Subject to oversight.
-Clearly accountable.
The foreign missions reminded Kenya that covert tactics in crowd control often escalate rather than de-escalate tensions and violate the trust between citizens and law enforcement.
With more Gen Z demonstrations expected in the days following June 25, international observers are watching closely. The diplomatic community called on Kenyan authorities to provide clear identification for all law enforcement officers, allow peaceful assembly, and ensure emergency services remain accessible to protesters.
This comes amid growing concern that the government’s escalating tactics are not only unconstitutional but counterproductive—fueling further defiance among protesters and amplifying international scrutiny.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has yet to directly respond to the joint diplomatic note, though the Interior Ministry has continued to justify undercover deployments as a "security measure."
However, failure to adhere to these calls may lead to wider consequences—sanctions, reduced aid partnerships, or diplomatic isolation. Kenya, long seen as a democratic leader in the region, now faces a credibility t
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