Two Security Guards Killed by Unknown Assailants in Kenya

On April 25, 2024, two security guards were killed by unknown assailants in Kenya. The incident occurred, but no further details about the attack or the victims have been provided at this time.

The killings come amidst ongoing concerns about police brutality and extrajudicial killings in Kenya. According to a recent report by NGOs including Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International Kenya, and Missing Voices, there were 120 police killings in Kenya in 2023, a slight decrease from the 130 killings recorded in 2022. The NGOs condemned the 'impunity' enjoyed by police officers implicated in these deaths and expressed concern over the lack of arrests and prosecutions.

The report also noted a decrease in enforced disappearances, dropping from 22 in 2022 to 10 in 2023. President William Ruto, elected in 2022, has vowed to address police violence and illegal practices, and has reiterated his commitment to ending extrajudicial killings and political assassinations. However, Kenyan police have faced longstanding accusations of brutality, including operating death squads targeting human rights investigators.

Why this matters: The ongoing issue of police brutality and extrajudicial killings in Kenya raises serious human rights concerns and undermines public trust in law enforcement. Addressing this problem will require sustained efforts to increase accountability, reform police practices, and bring those responsible for abuses to justice.

The Missing Voices Coalition, in its 2023 Annual Report launched on April 24, 2024, highlighted the ongoing challenge of police brutality in Kenya. While there are signs of potential reform under President Ruto's administration, human rights groups urge for stronger accountability and action to prevent future deaths. The report found that most killings occurred during police anti-crime operations, with a decrease in anti-terror related killings. Men continued to be the main victims, particularly young men aged 19-35, but the proportion of women victims slightly increased. Nairobi County continued to record the highest number of such incidents.

Key Takeaways

• 2 security guards killed by unknown assailants in Kenya on April 25, 2024.
• 120 police killings in Kenya in 2023, a slight decrease from 130 in 2022.
• Enforced disappearances decreased from 22 in 2022 to 10 in 2023.
• President Ruto vowed to address police violence and end extrajudicial killings.
• Nairobi County recorded the highest number of police killings in 2023.