Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI)

06/08/2026

Twenty-year-old Eric Otieno walked into Muthaiga Police Station alive.

He had been arrested on the night of 2 August and booked on allegations of "preparing to commit a felony." Less than 24 hours later, his family received a call asking them to pick him up.

According to his family, Eric was in excruciating pain and repeatedly told them he had been physically assaulted in the cells. They rushed him to hospital, but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Today, MUHURI joined She Rises, and other women human rights defenders from the Coast in condemning Eric's death and demanding an independent, transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding it.

We call on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate this case thoroughly and hold anyone found responsible to account. We also urge Parliament's Committee on Administration and Internal Security to exercise its oversight role over the conduct of law enforcement agencies.
Independent Policing Oversight Authority - IPOA KENYA

06/08/2026

Today, MUHURI joined coastal social justice centres and human rights defenders at Tononoka Hall in Mombasa for a conversation on civic space, governance, and human rights as Kenya moves closer to the electioneering period.

The meeting involved young people from different communities, mobilized by community-based organisations, to reflect on the role of citizens in protecting human rights and strengthening democratic participation.

Representing MUHURI, our Rapid Response Officer, Francis Auma, engaged with the youth, encouraging them to continue championing human rights protection and accountability within the communities they serve.

04/08/2026

MUHURI, HAKI Africa, She Rises and InformAction Kenya today addressed the press at the MUHURI Legal Aid Clinic in Mombasa, calling for an urgent, independent, and transparent investigation into public allegations that Members of Parliament received money to influence votes during the impeachment process.

Following public statements by political leaders, including Junet Mohamed, Richard Onyonka, Dan Maanzo, Karungo Thangwa, and others regarding alleged payments to MPs, we emphasize that these claims are too serious to remain matters of political debate.

Those who have made such allegations must cooperate with investigative agencies by recording formal statements and presenting any evidence in their possession. Equally, if no evidence exists, leaders should refrain from making claims that undermine public confidence in Parliament.

We call upon the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Kenya, and Parliament of Kenya to act without fear or favour. Kenyans deserve accountability, transparency, and a Parliament whose decisions are guided by the Constitution and the public interest, not by alleged financial inducements.

31/07/2026

Four months have passed since Musa Awes was abducted by plainclothes police officers in Kisauni, yet his family and the public remain without answers.

The Government has to disclose Musa Awes' whereabouts and secure his immediate release if he is in state custody. If he is facing any lawful charges, he must be presented before a competent court without further delay.

The continued disappearance of Musa Awes raises serious concerns about enforced disappearances, arbitrary detention, and the erosion of fundamental human rights. Silence and inaction cannot substitute accountability.

Witnesses say a Land Cruiser pulled up and two men allegedly grabbed him, forced him into the vehicle and drove away.

30/07/2026

MUHURI is giving the Government of Kenya seven days, effective today, to produce and release Musa Awes, who was allegedly abducted by plainclothes police officers in Kisauni four months ago.

Four months without information on his whereabouts is unacceptable. We have every reason to believe that Musa Awes is being unlawfully held by state agents, and his continued disappearance is a grave violation of his constitutional rights and the rule of law.

We call for his immediate release or for the authorities to produce him before a court of law without further delay.
https://youtu.be/eJtV22EodGg?is=F2LSykm9YC7fS-e9

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30/07/2026

After eight years of pursuing accountability, the murder case of Isaac Kassim Jiraw (alias "Sokoro/Sokorow") has reached a significant milestone. MUHURI has followed this case since it was first reported to us in 2018, standing with the family throughout the long judicial process.

The Mombasa High Court has found the three accused persons guilty of the murder of Isaac Kassim Jiraw, who was kidnapped in Mombasa, killed in Kilifi, and whose body was dumped in the Arabuko Sokoke Forest.

Sentencing is scheduled for 30 August 2026. The court has also cancelled the bond of two of the convicted persons, while an arrest warrant has been issued for the third, who failed to appear in court.

28/07/2026

Today MUHURI was at Sega market in Majengo, Mombasa. The traders yesterday received an invite to attend a public participation on affordable housing projects that seemingly should be put up at the place of the market.

The market members also say that they have information from people who are understood to have travelled from Nairobi under President Ruto's directive, to make sure they get the members vacate the market and pave the way for the so-called affordable houses.

So the government is launching a campaign to intimidate these traders so as to vacate or be forced out. This is totally illegal and inhumane.

These trader's have been in this market for decades. If they are evicted, will they be given an alternative? We are also issuing notice to the county government of Mombasa, through which this communication from Nairobi came, for participating in this injustice and intimidation.

We have advised the traders not to actively participate in tomorrow's meeting. We shall also be present during the so-called public participation meeting to monitor the proceedings, but we won't allow the government to use unorthodox means to run its projects at the expense of the rights and wellbeing of its citizens.

22/07/2026

MUHURI strongly condemns former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's call urging tourists and investors to stay away from Kenya until after the next General Election. Such remarks are deeply irresponsible and risk undermining the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans who depend on tourism, foreign investment, and the confidence of the international community.

We acknowledge the growing concern over politically sponsored violence and goonism witnessed in recent months. This is a serious failure that the Government must urgently address. However, weaponizing the country's image to score political points only punishes ordinary citizens rather than those responsible for the insecurity.

We call on Mr. Gachagua to withdraw his remarks and apologize to Kenyans.

At the same time, President William Ruto and his administration must act decisively to end political violence, hold perpetrators and their sponsors accountable, and restore public confidence in the rule of law. Kenya cannot afford a return to the dark days of the 2007/08 post-election violence.

The rule of law must prevail, without exception, without selective justice, and regardless of political affiliation.

21/07/2026

Two years ago, MUHURI, under the
UNDP Kenya-supported PLEAD Programme, walked into Hindi Prison in Lamu. We brought a belief, that walls should confine actions, not human potential.

We donated a laptop, provided basic learning materials, and helped set up an inmate education class right inside the facility.

Fast forward to today.

One of the inmates who sat in that classroom, learning behind bars, is now walking through the doors of Africa Nazarene University as a registered student.

This is what happens when we stop treating correctional facilities solely as places of punishment and start building them as centers of second chances.

To Court Users Committees (CUCs) and justice sector stakeholders, here's a testimony that rehabilitation works. When we invest in education and dignity behind bars, we transform individual lives, and build safer, more empowered communities when inmates return home.

📰 Read his story in The Star: https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/2026-07-18-from-prison-with-a-dream-ex-inmate-joins-africa-nazarene-university

21/07/2026

We are proud to have been part of the 3rd Africa High-Level Civil Society AML/CFT Conference in Abuja, Nigeria.

Representing MUHURI and the Kenya NPO Working Group, our Program Manager Fredrick Okado shared Kenya's experience on FATF Recommendation 8, pointing out how counter-terrorism financing measures continue to shape the work of civil society organisations and the partnerships they rely on.

We are grateful to Spaces for Change for convening regulators, civil society organisations and other partners for honest conversations on building regulatory frameworks that safeguard financial integrity without shrinking civic space.

We appreciate Civic Advisory Hub, SCUML, fellow panelists and everyone who contributed to the discussions. We leave Abuja encouraged by the shared commitment to practical reforms and stronger partnerships that will help civil society continue serving communities across Africa.