Nairobi — Kenyan police arrested at least 12 opposition figures and activists on Thursday following a series of public statements by government officials accusing critics of inciting ethnic hatred and threatening national stability.
The arrests came after Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki warned during a televised address on Wednesday that individuals spreading “divisive rhetoric” would face legal consequences, citing recent social media posts and rally speeches that he said risked reigniting intercommunal tensions ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Among those detained were ODM party spokesperson Denis Onyango, civil society leader Auma Obama, and several youth activists from Nairobi’s informal settlements, according to statements from their legal representatives and party officials. Police said the suspects were held under provisions of the National Cohesion and Integration Act, which criminalizes speech deemed to promote hatred based on ethnicity, race, or religion.
Kindiki’s remarks followed a pattern of escalating verbal exchanges between the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition and opposition leaders, particularly after President William Ruto accused Raila Odinga’s coalition of orchestrating protests that turned violent in late 2023. Odinga has denied involvement, calling the allegations a pretext to suppress dissent.
The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi issued a statement on Thursday urging all parties to exercise restraint and respect freedom of expression, noting that peaceful assembly and speech are protected under Kenya’s constitution and international obligations.
As of Friday morning, the detained individuals remained in police custody pending court appearances, with no formal charges filed yet. Their lawyers have filed habeas corpus petitions challenging the legality of the arrests, arguing that the statements in question fall within protected political discourse.
