This archive report was first published on 24 August 2020.
On March 13, 2020, Kenya reported its first case of the coronavirus, marking the beginning of a series of measures aimed at containing the spread of the virus. However, these restrictions have had a devastating impact on human rights in the country.
A report by Mzalendo, a watchdog organization, has revealed that almost half of Kenyans have been harassed, arrested, or beaten by police enforcing curfews and other measures introduced by the government. The report, which was published on August 24, 2020, is based on a study conducted between March and June.
The study found that the reasons tied to the time spent at home with limited public interactions as one of the measures for curbing the virus have contributed to a rise in domestic and gender-based violence. The report also noted that the closure of courts and reduction of activity in the Judiciary have meant that perpetrators of police brutality and gender-based violence have had free rein to conduct their ills.
According to the report, the enforced curfew, cessation of inter-country movement, and social distancing orders have had a significant impact on human rights in the country. The report states, 'Human rights have been affected during Covid-19 with an enforced curfew, cessation of inter-country movement and social distancing orders for the nation. Gender-based violence has increased with time spent at home in response to the pandemic.'
The report also highlights the adverse effects of virtual court sessions on human rights, gender-based violence, and the course of justice. It states, 'Court proceedings, limited to virtual sessions, have seen human rights, gender-based violence and the course of justice adversely affected. The pace of the Judiciary’s discharge of duties has stuttered.'
