From 7th to 9th May 2025, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), through its Documentation and Justice Centres Project, undertook a nationwide exercise across all eight LSK branches. Trained Advocates, Rapporteurs, and Paralegals were stationed at various court stations and justice centres to document the experiences of individuals affected by the 2025 Gen Z maandamano protests. Survivors, families of the deceased, and those whose loved ones are still missing came forward to share powerful and painful stories of unlawful arrests, abductions, injuries, and deaths. These violations remain unresolved, with many families still seeking answers and justice.This initiative, which took place under challenging and sometimes threatening conditions, was not only timely but deeply necessary. The brave personnel on the ground conducted interviews, gathered testimonies, and created a critical record of human rights violations committed during that turbulent period. The stories we heard were both heart-wrenching and a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability. The data collected is now undergoing analysis and will form the basis of a detailed record aimed at pushing for justice and institutional accountability.
We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the courageous Advocates, Rapporteurs, and Paralegals who risked their safety to undertake this work. We are equally grateful to the LSK Branch Chairs for coordinating the local teams, the court stations and justice centres that provided space for the exercise, and the many individuals who volunteered their halls and time. This exercise would not have been possible without the invaluable support of our development partner, Open Society Foundations (OSF), and the collaboration of the International Jurist Mission (IJM) and the Vance Center.
Above all, we recognize and honour the courage of the Kenyan public who came forward to speak out—despite trauma, fear, and uncertainty. Their voices are now part of a collective record that demands justice. This mission was not just an act of documentation; it was an act of resistance, remembrance, and commitment to the rule of law and human dignity.
#JusticeForGenZ #LSKForHumanRights #DocumentationAndJustice #NeverForget #RuleOfLaw #HumanRightsKE #AccessToJustice
