Kenya has been placed on a global list of 51 countries where civic freedoms and human rights are getting worse.
It is one of seven countries recently added to what many critics call the “list of shame.” This decision was made by Civicus Monitor, an international group that watches over rights like free speech, peaceful protest, and the freedom to form groups.
They look at 198 countries, and their latest announcement shows serious concerns about Kenya’s current situation.
Civicus Monitor said that Kenya is now showing a worrying increase in government actions meant to block civic freedoms. This includes actions by the police, security agents, and other government offices.
Other countries added to the list include El Salvador, Indonesia, Turkey, Serbia, and the United States. All of them are said to have shown signs of declining respect for basic human rights and freedoms.
The group explained that more than a year after the June 25, 2024 protests against the Finance Bill, the Kenyan government has not improved its approach.
Instead of listening to the public and engaging with them, the government has continued using harsh and violent methods.
These include deadly force, arresting people without reason, and using online surveillance to watch and silence people who speak out.
According to Ine Van Severen, who leads research on civic space at Civicus, Kenya has now been rated as “repressed.” This is the second-worst ranking. It means that the country is now seen as one where people are no longer free to express themselves, gather peacefully, or form groups without fear of punishment.
The group’s report, titled Police bullets, digital chains: State-sanctioned brutality in Kenya’s peaceful youth-led uprising, outlines the problems in detail.
The report talks about the tragic events of June 25, 2025, when thousands of young Kenyans marched peacefully in protest. Instead of dialogue, the State responded with violence.
At least 65 people died, hundreds were injured, and more than 1,500 were arrested.
The report also says that there were serious cases of sexual violence during the protests. Some women were raped or gang raped by people believed to be working with or protected by the State.
Others looted shops during the confusion, further harming the public. These actions have raised many questions about the government’s commitment to protecting its citizens’ rights and the future of democracy in Kenya.
