The 2024 U.S. Department of State Human Rights Report has drawn global attention to Kenya after naming government officials could in connection with the persecution of activist and blogger Francis Gaitho.
The case has been cited as an example of growing restrictions on freedom of expression under President William Ruto’s administration, which took office in 2022.
Gaitho, who has built a strong presence on platforms like X and Facebook, is known for speaking out against corruption, poor governance, and the mistreatment of citizens.
His outspoken criticism during last year’s protests against the controversial finance bill is believed to have put him on the government’s radar.
According to the report, police arrested Gaitho in July 2024 on charges of publishing false information and cyber harassment.
His arrest happened in the middle of nationwide Gen Z-led demonstrations that started peacefully but turned violent in some areas after police used force to disperse crowds.
The protests were triggered by the finance bill, which proposed steep tax increases. Gaitho’s online posts openly condemned the government’s heavy-handed response, and his detention appeared to target a digital voice that had amplified public dissent.
The tense climate was underscored by an unusual incident involving veteran journalist Macharia Gaitho, who was briefly detained by police in Karen after being mistaken for Francis Gaitho.
The blunder, though quickly corrected, highlighted the charged environment in which security forces operated during the protests.
Official records say at least 42 people were killed, but human rights groups place the figure at 60.
Hundreds were injured, with 199 cases formally documented by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority.
Reports also mentioned arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and excessive use of force.
The report also noted other troubling cases, including the abduction of Ugandan opposition figure Kizza Besigye in Nairobi and the unlawful detention of Kenyan activist Bob Njagi for over a month.
Journalists were not spared either, with 24 cases of harassment reported. Incidents included CNN’s Larry Madowo being tear-gassed and reporter Catherine Kariuki being hit by non-lethal pellets while on duty.
While the Kenyan government claims it is investigating some of these abuses, the U.S. report emphasises that impunity remains a major problem.
There is speculation about possible sanctions against implicated officials, but nothing has been confirmed.
The case of Francis Gaitho has also sparked debate over the evolving role of bloggers, who now rival mainstream journalists in influence and are increasingly at risk for speaking out.
As of early 2025, Gaitho’s legal battles remain unresolved, with a court issuing a warrant for his arrest in January after he missed a hearing.
His story continues to symbolise the struggle for free expression in Kenya, a reminder that real change will depend not on foreign reports but on domestic accountability.
