IJM Kenya

29/05/2026

Today in Eldoret, our team joined the Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, for a powerful Community Dialogue aimed at strengthening public trust and improving access to justice.

Held under the theme “Chapa Gumzo na Prosecutor", the forum brought together members of the public and key justice sector actors, including the Judiciary, National Police Service, Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Attorney General’s Office, Correctional Services and the Witness Protection Agency, among others.

The dialogue created a unique space for the community to directly engage with the DPP, prosecutors, and other justice actors in the region. Participants shared concerns on issues such as case delays, weak investigations, land disputes, and Gender-Based Violence (GBV).

IJM Country Director Vincent Chahale, in remarks delivered by Programs Attorney Caroline Kiarie, reiterated IJM’s commitment to working alongside institutions across the justice system, strengthening their capacity to respond effectively to the needs of communities, especially the most vulnerable, as they seek justice. He emphasized that building and sustaining public trust requires deliberate and consistent action, ensuring that every concern or complaint is handled fairly, professionally, and with integrity.

The DPP reaffirmed the constitutional mandate of his office and highlighted growing concerns around Gender-Based Violence (GBV), femicide, cybercrime, and online fraud, particularly targeting young people and vulnerable populations. He urged the public to report crimes early, reject corruption, and remain vigilant against cyber threats, including SIM swap fraud, fake job offers, and mobile money scams.

He further emphasized the importance of Alternative Justice Systems, diversion, and plea bargaining as pathways to restorative justice, rehabilitation, and greater efficiency within the criminal justice system.

26/05/2026

Children, women, and men face the reality of abuse every day, as those in positions of power exploit vulnerabilities created by poverty. That is why IJM partners with communities and actors across the criminal justice system to build safer places where vulnerable people can live free from fear.

Supporting justice centers and human rights defenders is especially close to our hearts. We believe they play a critical role in standing with communities and survivors of abuse—documenting cases and guiding those who experience violations through the proper channels to seek justice.

Today in Kisumu, we had the privilege of supporting this important work—partnering with Kondele Justice Center and Manyatta B Justice Center to launch new office spaces, each with dedicated spaces for reporting and counseling.

We hope these centers will become safe spaces where community members can report violations, receive support, and begin their journey toward justice.

25/05/2026

This week, IJM Kenya is hosting a training at Embakasi Barracks for officers from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), focused on building their practical skills in safety, situational awareness, and decision-making.

The training was officially opened by our Country Director, Mr. Vincent Chahale, who reaffirmed IJM’s commitment to working alongside criminal justice system actors to strengthen their capacity to serve and protect vulnerable people who seek justice.

During the opening, Mr. Chahale, who was accompanied by our Legal Manager, Ruth Kihuria, also paid a courtesy call to Commandant HPSS Brigadier Cleopas Mundui, Director at Embakasi Barracks, and Major Obwire, who are overseeing the IPOA training.

In his remarks, Mr. Chahale emphasized the importance of equipping officers to operate effectively in high-risk and unpredictable environments. He also highlighted the value of the IJM–IPOA partnership, noting that shared preparedness, discipline, and coordination are essential to safeguarding officers, strengthening their capacity, and advancing accountability and justice.

20/05/2026

Today, our team, led by Country Director Mr. Vincent Chahale, had the honor of paying a courtesy call on the Hon. Lady Justice Martha Koome, EGH, Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya, at the Supreme Court Building.


This strategic engagement was aimed at deepening collaboration between the two institutions in advancing justice for the people of Kenya. The meeting marked an important step in the relationship, building on years of collaboration at the court-station level, through Court Users Committees, judicial dialogues, public engagement forums, trauma-informed care trainings, and support to justice sector coordination.


The two principals agreed to formalize the working relationship to guide areas of mutual collaboration and shared institutional interest. The discussions affirmed strong alignment between the Judiciary’s Social Transformation through Access to Justice (STAJ) Blueprint and IJM Kenya’s justice system strengthening work, particularly in improving access to justice, strengthening criminal justice efficiency, supporting judicial wellness, enhancing inter-agency coordination, and promoting victim-centered justice.


Key areas of proposed collaboration include the development of trauma-responsive gender justice and child-friendly courts; support for active case management reforms, integration of trauma-informed care into judicial training, strengthening Court Users Committees, improving justice-sector data coordination; and enhancing victim protection and participation in the justice process.

IJM remains grateful to the Hon. Chief Justice for her leadership and openness to partnership, and we look forward to working together with the Judiciary to translate these shared priorities into meaningful impact for the people of Kenya.

14/05/2026

IJM stands in solidarity with survivors of violence against women and children, remembering Farida Kadzo and the urgent need for justice and protection. We welcome the conviction and 20-year sentence against the perpetrator of this violence, a step toward accountability, while recognizing the continued need to ensure every survivor is seen, heard, and protected.

09/05/2026

14/04/2026

Baby Pendo Update: We continue to call for truth, accountability, and justice for Baby Pendo and all other victims of the 2017 post-election violence.

The case will resume on 2 June, and we will continue to provide updates.
Read more from the standard newspaper via the link below:

Victims, rights groups and the LSK have sued the DPP over the decision to drop senior police officers from the suspects list in the Baby Pendo murder and 2017 post-election violence case.

26/03/2026

Wellness is essential for journalists, especially those who report on violence, loss, and human suffering. Journalists often encounter traumatic and emotionally charged situations, and repeated exposure can lead to secondary trauma, stress, and burnout. These pressures can affect judgment, ethical decision-making, and the ability to engage with survivors in a compassionate, trauma-informed way. At IJM, we believe that when journalists are supported, they are better equipped to conduct sensitive interviews, cover high-risk assignments, and sustain the emotional resilience needed to tell stories that promote dignity and justice.

This week, IJM hosted a Trauma-Informed Care Training and Wellness Day for 33 journalists from Kilifi, Kwale, and Mombasa counties who cover cases of Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC). The training included trauma-informed interviewing, safer reporting practices, security awareness tips, and tools for managing stress, burnout, and emotional fatigue.
These sessions created space for the journalists to reflect on their experiences, process the emotional impact of their work, and learn healthy coping strategies.

By combining practical skills, psychosocial care, and team building, the program strengthened journalists’ ability to report responsibly, elevate survivors’ voices, and protect themselves — contributing to the shared goal of ensuring safer communities and ending violence against women and children.

25/03/2026

In a historic judgment, the High Court sitting in Kisumu has awarded a total of KSh 38,662,750 to victims and survivors of police abuse who were shot dead or maimed by police while protesting the high cost of living between March and July 2023 in Kisumu.

The Court held that the Inspector-General of the National Police Service and the National Police Service are liable for the atrocities committed against 28 victims and survivors, holding that the police used excessive force.

"For far too long, survivors have faced the disheartening reality of inaction from the State, but this decision signifies that their pursuit of justice is valid, essential, and more importantly, consequential,” said Vincent Chahale, Country Director, IJM Kenya.

Today, millions of people live unprotected from modern slavery and abuse. Together, we can change that.

24/03/2026

Missing Voices is a coalition dedicated to ending enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Kenya. The coalition documents cases of police excesses, pushes for justice for victims and survivors, and advocates for stronger accountability and legal reforms to end human rights violations.

In our report, “Unbowed for Justice", released earlier today, we highlight a significant rise in police killings—from 104 cases in 2024 to 125 cases in 2025. As the Missing Voices Coalition, we are calling for urgent action that:

1. Parliament enacts a law to specifically criminalise enforced disappearances or amends existing legislation to do so and ratifies the International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance. The law should also include recourse and reparations for victims and their families.

2. The National Police Service undertakes urgent reforms on crowd control and use of force to prevent further loss of life during protests, and ensures the occurrence book documents all persons in police custody to facilitate rapid investigations into enforced disappearances.

3. Oversight institutions, including IPOA, are adequately resourced to investigate and prosecute police abuses.

4. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions expedites cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances and develops clear investigative guidelines. It should also fast-track the development of jurisprudence on primary responsibility and command responsibility.

5. The Judiciary prioritises timely resolution of police abuse-of-power cases and strengthens case-management systems. It should also prioritise law reform to address government officials’ failure to comply with court orders in habeas corpus cases.

6. The State operationalises the National Coroners Service Act and the Prevention of Torture Act.