A report by the BBC details the horrific circumstances under which young brave protesters met their deaths.

They were part of a youth revolt against President William Ruto and his government due to over-taxation, a failed university funding model and insensitivity of State officers.

The youths were maimed or disappeared, while others died by the barrel of a gun. The government reacted to the protests with extreme brutality and violation of human rights. It launched a crackdown that saw many young people who are opposed to the Ruto regime abducted and released after being silenced.

Cases of abductions and unlawful detention of human rights defenders and social activists are gravely worrying.

Lobby groups have asked President Ruto to deliver on his words and his government’s human rights commitments.

The CIVICUS global civil society alliance has warned that releasing everyone unfairly detained, remedying any harm to activists, ending abductions of activists protesting and expressing dissent, and holding to account all, including State authorities, responsible for perpetrating unlawful acts of violence and intimidation must be priorities for the Kenyan authorities.

According to the civil society, the President should urgently address gross human rights violations and ensure human dignity and fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. The laws must be enacted justly and equally as guaranteed under both national and international legal frameworks.

The BBC report released yesterday blamed the killings on the police. This is unfortunate, coming from individuals primarily mandated by law to protect life and property. Now that the officers are known, we call upon the Ruto regime to take legal action against the perpetrators. The young protesters were armed with only the flag of a country they were brought up to love. In a country that prides itself on a progressive Constitution and the rule of law, this impunity must not be allowed to defeat the force of good.

The Constitution guarantees freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly.