Three human rights experts attached to the United Nations have criticised the Kenyan government over an increased rate of attacks on civil society.
According to UN Special Rapporteurs' Maina Kiai, Michel Forst and David Kaye, the government must now stop the current 'systematic crackdown' on Kenyan civil society groups.
“It appears that there is a systematic and deliberate pattern to crack down on civil society groups which challenge governmental policies, educate voters, investigate human rights abuses and uncover corruption,” they said in a statement as quoted by Standard.
They warned that should Kenya shut down the debate happening in the civic space, the legitimacy of the upcoming elections will be irreparably tainted.
In January, the Interior ministry ordered the closure of NGOs alleged to be improperly licensed and posing a threat to the national security.
PHOTO/nation.co.ke