Kenya Charges 37 Protesters with Terrorism, Sparking Outrage Over Escalating Crackdown

Nairobi, Kenya – July 10, 2025 – In a move widely condemned as a drastic escalation in the government’s crackdown on dissent, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved terrorism charges against 37 individualsarrested during the recent wave of anti-government protests.

The DPP alleges that the accused engaged in violent acts, including property destruction and looting, during demonstrations that have swept across the country in recent weeks. The suspects are currently being held in custody and are scheduled to appear before the Kahawa Law Courts today, July 10 — a court traditionally reserved for serious offenses such as terrorism and organized crime.

Human rights advocates have strongly condemned the decision, calling it a gross misuse of counterterrorism lawsintended for far more serious threats.

“These are young people who were protesting for their future — not terrorists,” said a spokesperson for Amnesty International Kenya. “This move violates their right to due process and sends a dangerous message to all Kenyans: dissent will be punished with the full weight of the state.”

Legal experts and civil society organizations have warned that the deployment of terrorism charges against protestors marks a dangerous authoritarian turn, with the potential to permanently chill freedom of assembly and expression. Many view the move as an attempt to intimidate government critics and deter future demonstrations amid growing economic hardship and public dissatisfaction.

The upcoming court hearing is being closely monitored both locally and abroad, with international observers framing it as a litmus test for judicial independence in a nation grappling with political unrest and rising demands for accountability.