Audio By Vocalize
For over a decade, Kenyans have buried protesters, treated life-changing injuries and watched cycles of violence repeat on our streets and in our communities. A new draft Freedom of Assembly Bill offers a chance to break this pattern.
Now, what does it get right, where does it depart from previous bills, and what must be strengthened to ensure that demonstrations are protected, not punished? The Facilitation of Assembly, Picketing and Demonstration Bill has been collaboratively drafted by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Attorney General, Independent Policing Oversight Authority, Law Society of Kenya and other stakeholders.
Once again, we have those 28 courageous Kisumu petitioners to thank. It was their 2023 Sufuria Maandamano case that prompted the High Court on March 25, 2026 to direct the KNCHR and the Executive to develop a law that gives full effect to Article 37 of the Constitution.
Since 2017, Kenya has witnessed over 5,000 protests according to ACLED, Missing Voices Alliance and Odipo Dev and Amnesty Freedom Index datasets. The human cost has been heavy. At least 1,800 people have been killed or injured in protests according to KNCHR's Report on Reparations now with the President.
