Nairobi, Kenya – President William Ruto’s administration is facing intense criticism for charging anti-government protesters under anti-terrorism laws instead of ordinary public order offences. Human rights groups and opposition figures warn that invoking the Prevention of Terrorism Act – legislation meant for extremists like Al-Shabaab – to prosecute street demonstrators is a dangerous overreach. Critics argue the government is attempting to silence dissent over issues like high taxes and the rising cost of living by branding protesters as “terrorists” rather than addressing their grievances.

Nearly 1,500 people have been arrested since June 2025 in connection with unrest, with dozens now facing terrorism-related charges. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions defended the move, claiming some recent riots were coordinated attacks on public buildings and officers, not spontaneous protests. However, lawyers and civil society groups insist that labelling protesters as terrorists sets a worrying precedent and erodes constitutional freedoms. “Weaponizing anti-terror laws to crush demonstrations is unjustified and risks rolling back our hard-won liberties,” warned one rights advocate.

Even some government allies are uneasy. Siaya Governor James Orengo denounced the terrorism charges against activist Boniface Mwangi – which were later dropped – as “illogical and deeply troubling”. Mwangi was initially accused of terrorism for participating in protests, only for prosecutors to abruptly downgrade the charges amid public outcry. The swift reversal has been seized on by critics as evidence that the terrorism claims were flimsy and unsustainable in court.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, however, has doubled down. He asserted that the government “will no longer tolerate terrorism disguised as dissent,” pointing to incidents of looting and attacks on police stations during the chaos. Murkomen vowed to pursue not only violent rioters but also the suspected financiers of the unrest, suggesting even protest organizers could face terror or heavy criminal charges. With Kenya’s next elections two years away, observers say the Ruto administration’s hardline approach reflects mounting anxiety – and warn it could backfire by galvanizing more opposition if dialogue is not sought.