Groups condemn State intimidation of TISA, demand investigations
A coalition of civil society organizations, human rights defenders, grassroots movements and accountability advocates accused the government of orchestrating an escalating campaign of intimidation against The Institute for Social Accountability (TISA), its Executive Director Diana Gichengo, and members of the Okoa Uchumi campaign.
In a joint statement, the coalition alleged that Kenya is experiencing a return to “police-state tactics” targeting organizations and individuals involved in public finance oversight and civic activism. The groups described the alleged actions as a systematic attempt to silence dissent and shrink civic space.
The statement cited several incidents which the coalition says demonstrate a coordinated pattern of harassment. Among them was the disruption of a public finance meeting at All Saints Cathedral on June 12, 2026, where individuals described as state-sponsored goons allegedly attacked participants. TISA was among the organizations that had convened the meeting.
The coalition further alleged that since early June, TISA Executive Director Diana Gichengo has been subjected to persistent surveillance by occupants of unmarked Subaru and Prado vehicles, while on July 2, at least 13 men believed to be security officers allegedly attempted to enter TISA’s offices, demanding to identify and arrest a lawyer working at the organization.
The statement also linked the alleged harassment to what it described as a broader pattern of attacks against human rights defenders, citing the reported rendition of Kenya Human Rights Commission staff member Martin Mavenjina to Uganda, the denial of entry into Kenya to Open Society Foundation official Brian Kagoro, and the alleged arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and torture of several activists following the June 25 demonstrations.
The coalition claimed that armed, masked and plain-clothes officers operating in unmarked vehicles have increasingly been used alongside groups of civilians to carry out unlawful arrests, surveillance, assaults and intimidation while avoiding accountability.
The organizations argued that such actions violate several provisions of the Constitution of Kenya, including Articles 10, 29, 33, 36 and 244, which guarantee national values, freedom and security of the person, freedom of expression, freedom of association and professional policing standards.
The coalition also referenced a 2025 High Court judgment in Kanchory v Service & 3 others, in which the court criticized the use of masked officers and unmarked vehicles in police operations, stating that law enforcement officers should not conceal their identities while carrying out official duties.
Among their demands, the organizations called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Inspector General of Police to immediately stop what they described as unlawful surveillance and intimidation of TISA staff.
They further urged the National Police Service to explain the deployment of the Subaru vehicles allegedly involved in the July 2 incident and identify the officers who reportedly sought access to TISA’s offices, as well as investigate another unmarked Subaru allegedly used during the arrest of human rights defenders in Nairobi’s central business district on July 7.
The coalition also called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to launch an independent investigation into the alleged attempted raid on TISA’s offices and what it described as a wider pattern of enforced disappearances, torture, arbitrary arrests, illegal surveillance and attacks on civic actors.
Finally, the groups urged the government to guarantee the safety of TISA staff, civil society organizations and human rights defenders, while ensuring that those found responsible for alleged constitutional violations are investigated and held accountable.
The statement was signed by a broad coalition of civil society organizations, human rights defenders, grassroots movements and accountability champions.