The Take It Back Movement (TIB), alongside dozens of activist organisations from across Africa and the diaspora, including several U.S.-based Black Lives Matter (BLM) chapters, have issued a joint solidarity statement condemning the violent crackdown on Kenyan protestors by the government of President William Ruto.
The statement, dated July 4, 2025, was released under the banner “Africa for Kenyans”, and denounces what it describes as a “neoliberal and murderous regime” that has unleashed a wave of brutal repression against Kenyans demanding economic justice, democratic rights, and government accountability.
The signatories include prominent Pan-African and grassroots organisations such as Economic Fighters League (Ghana), Coalition for Revolution (Nigeria), Socialist Workers League (Nigeria), Black House Kollective (South Africa), Amilcar Cabral Ideological School-Movement, Ubuntu Reading Group (Uganda), Pan-African Community Action (USA), and multiple U.S.-based BLM chapters from Philadelphia, Oklahoma City, Boston, and Hudson Valley.
The coalition strongly condemned the excessive use of force by Kenyan police and military units against peaceful demonstrators, who took to the streets to commemorate the 2024 uprising against tax hikes, corruption, and foreign economic interference. According to human rights organisations, at least 16 people have been killed and over 400 injured in the current protests, with fresh reports of abductions and disappearances, including that of activist Ndiangui Kinyagia, who remains missing.
The statement directly holds Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen responsible for issuing “shoot-to-kill” orders to the police, turning what should have been a peaceful anniversary protest into “another national tragedy.”
Echoing widespread public outrage, the coalition highlighted disturbing patterns of state-sponsored brutality, including extrajudicial killings, gang-rape by alleged state-backed militias, forced evictions, and increasing surveillance and arrests of grassroots activists. Of particular concern is the ongoing detention of the so-called “Muthaiga Three”, as well as the death in police custody of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang in June.
The statement also condemned the gender-based violence epidemic, citing government crime data showing that at least 97 women were killed between August and October 2024, with many others assaulted during the current wave of protests.
They call on Western governments and “development partners” to end all diplomatic and financial support to the Ruto administration, accusing them of turning a blind eye to growing authoritarianism in Kenya in exchange for geopolitical loyalty.
The groups also demanded independent investigations into all alleged human rights violations, including the involvement of government-backed militias reportedly deployed to sabotage the protests by inciting violence and discrediting demonstrators.
The joint statement concluded with a rebuke to the African Union and African heads of state for their silence:
“In your silence, you become complicit, and the People of Africa will not forget. Stand now for the people of Kenya, or forever be relegated to the dying cabals of history.”
With the backing of a broad Pan-African and global activist base, the Take It Back Movement and its partners reaffirmed their unwavering commitment to the Kenyan people’s struggle, calling this a defining moment for justice, sovereignty, and unity across the continent.
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