On Sunday afternoon, human rights activist Hussein Khalid was arrested while leading a group of activists to hold an event at Nairobi’s Uhuru Park.
The arrest occurred as Khalid was addressing the press after police had cordoned off the park entrance, preventing hundreds of gathered youth from entering. Before Khalid’s arrest, police had dispersed a group of youth assembling in Nairobi’s Central Business District with tear gas as they attempted to march and occupy Uhuru Park. Law enforcement maintained a presence at the venue, vowing to prevent unauthorized access that might disrupt peace. Khalid, a prominent human rights defender, was subsequently taken to the Central Police Station in Nairobi.
Eyewitness accounts and images obtained by local media capture the activist being forcibly removed from the media briefing and swiftly placed into a police vehicle. Earlier, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja had issued a warning to individuals planning to gather at the park to commemorate victims of police brutality who had died during anti-government protests across the country. This warning came after certain citizen groups had sought permission to use the venue for an event coinciding with Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kwale County.
Sakaja clarified that while Uhuru Park remains open to the public daily and can be booked for events, it cannot be reserved for exclusive use during public holidays. This incident marks Khalid’s second arrest this year, following a previous detention on July 25 when he and other activists led a group of youths demanding information about individuals who had gone missing after anti-government protests in Nairobi. Fellow activist Boniface Mwangi reported being denied access to Uhuru Park along with his family, expressing frustration over what he perceives as restrictions on freedom of expression and assembly.
The arrests and substantial police presence at Uhuru Park have ignited controversy among human rights organizations and activists, who contend that these actions violate the right to peaceful assembly and expression. Law enforcement officials, however, maintain that their measures are necessary to preserve public order and prevent potential disruptions during the Mashujaa Day celebrations.
