Rights groups allege police surveillance and intimidation, demand probe

Civil society organisations and human rights defenders, led by former Chief Justice David Maraga, are accusing the government of using police surveillance and intimidation to silence its critics.

The groups claim officials from the Institute of Social Accountability (TISA) are living in fear after allegedly being tracked and trailed by unknown individuals.

On Monday, more than 100 civil society organisations and human rights defenders converged at Muthangari Police Station in Nairobi to file a formal complaint over the alleged surveillance and trailing of TISA officials.

The groups claim TISA Executive Director Diana Gichengo's life is in danger after armed men, believed to be police officers, allegedly attempted to force their way into the organisation's offices a few days ago.

They further allege that since the incident, Gichengo and other TISA officials have continued to be followed by unknown individuals using Subaru vehicles without registration plates.

"At least 13 suspected police officers in four Subaru vehicles tried to access TISA offices..." Former LSK President and Human Rights Defender Faith Odhiambo said.

"TISA is the latest civil society organisation to be attacked, and the trend continues to worsen by the day,” Amnesty International Kenya Executive Director George Morara added.

The organisations are now calling on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to order an immediate investigation into the allegations, identify those responsible and take action against them.

They also want him to explain why police officers allegedly continue to use unmarked vehicles and conceal their identities despite existing court orders.

"If the government is doing the right thing, why is it hiding in unmarked vehicles, and why are police officers hiding their faces against the law?" Former Chief Justice David Maraga stated.

Siasa Place Executive Director, Nerima Wako, added, “We demand that the DCI and the Inspector General of Police officially account for the fleet of Subaru vehicles used on July 2."

The allegations come weeks after a public forum on the national budget at All Saints Cathedral was disrupted by individuals described by organisers as goons.

The groups now claim the government is using intimidation, surveillance and hired gangs to silence civil society organisations that criticise public spending and demand greater accountability.

"This is not law enforcement. It is organised state terror to silence civil society groups, " Odhiambo said.

"We cannot allow this to continue. It is their new tactic after using goons to silence politicians and civilians,” added Maraga.