Kenya
The Republic of Kenya exhibits mid-range performance across all four categories of the Global State of Democracy Framework. It is among the top 25 per cent of countries in Judicial Independence and Freedom of the Press, but is among the bottom with regard to Basic Welfare. Over the last five years, it has experienced significant advances in Elected Government, Freedom of Expression and Judicial Independence. A lower-middle income country, Kenya has the second largest economy in East Africa by GDP, with key sectors including agriculture, logistics, real estate, manufacturing and technology. However, it has accumulated high levels of debt and faces difficulties financing repayments, with the public debt-to-GDP ratio hovering around two-thirds—well above the 55 per cent threshold widely considered sustainable.
Prior to colonial rule, Kenya was shaped by the migration, conflict, and settlement patterns of communities like the Kikuyu and Maasai, while coastal trade with Arab merchants fostered Swahili culture. Kenya becamea British Protectorate in 1895 and a colony in 1920, with colonial rule marked by land dispossession, mass incarceration and violence— laying the foundation for persistent grievances over land tenure and inequality. After independence in 1963, Kenya experienced both democratic and authoritarian periods. Despite its religious and ethnic diversity, the country has endured episodes of oppression and state-linked violence, with elections often triggering ethnically driven violence. The 2007-2008 post-electoral violence triggered a range of domestic and international transitional justice processes. A new constitution introducing major reforms was promulgated in 2010.
Due to ongoing armed conflicts in neighbouring states, Kenya hosts one of Africa’s largest refugee populations, mainly from Somalia or South Sudan. Ethnic Somalis are often perceived as a security threat by the Kenyan state due to terrorist attacks perpetrated in Kenya by the Somali-based militant organization, al-Shabaab. Consequently, Kenya has become a strategic counter-terrorism partner for the United States and other western countries, though its counter-terrorism campaigns have been criticized for violating human rights. Police brutality, impunity and state-sanctioned abductions constitute long-standing concerns, most recently evident in the policing of the 2024 Anti-Finance Bill protests. Corruption is also widespread, particularly in public procurement, patronage, bribery and embezzlement. Climate change poses an additional threat to Kenya’s governance and economic stability.
Kenya has made steady progress in Gender Equality over recent decades, with related commitmentsenshrined—though not fully implemented—in its Constitution and broader legal and policy frameworks. Yet, women remain significantly disadvantaged, due to cultural, political, and economic factors. Limited control over resources such as land, combined with unequal and unpaid care work, discourages women’s economic participation. Gender-based violence—including female genital mutilation and femicide—also remains prevalent. Same-sex relations remain criminalized under colonial-era laws, and while prosecutions are rare, LGBTQIA+ individuals continue to face harassment, discrimination, and occasional arrests.
Looking ahead, while the mostly peaceful 2022 elections indicated progress toward regularizing peaceful transitions of democratic power, the 2024 youth-led anti-government protests highlighted ongoing public concerns regarding governance and accountability. Personal Integrity and Security, Predictable Enforcement and Freedom of Expression will be important areas to watch. Recent reports related to the treatment of government critics have prompted discussion about the need to continue strenghtening constitutional safeguards and protections for civic space. Additionally, high youth unemployment and Kenya’s mounting national debt pose further risks to Economic Equality and Basic Welfare.
Last updated: July 2025
https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/
June 2025
Violent protests erupt on anniversary of 2024 unrest
On 25 June, large-scale anti-government protests erupted across Kenya to mark the one-year anniversary of the deadly 2024 demonstrations and in response to the recent death in police custody of blogger Albert Ojwang. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), 19 people were killed and 531 injured, many by police gunfire. Over 480 people were arrested, and the military was deployed alongside police in several locations. The protests, held in 23 counties, were marked by violent clashes between demonstrators and police, destruction of property, and alleged sexual violence. Rights groups condemned the excessive use of force, while the UN called for prompt, transparent investigations. Commentators noted that the protests have reignited public anger over police brutality and lack of accountability.
Update: On 7 July, anti-government protests in Kenya left at least 38 people dead—the highest single-day toll since demonstrations began in June—bringing the total killed to 65, according to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority. The unrest coincided with the anniversary of the 1990 Saba Saba pro-democracy protests, a pivotal moment in Kenya’s pro-democracy struggle, as police cracked down on demonstrators nationwide.
Sources: Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, The United Nations, Human Rights Watch, Jeune Afrique, Radio France Internationale, International Crisis Group, International IDEA, Le Monde
May 2025
Kenya enacts landmark disability rights law
On 8 May, Kenya enacted the Persons with Disabilities Act 2025 to address long-standing gaps in inclusion and accessibility. The new law expands the definition of disability, mandates five per cent public sector employment for people with disabilities, and introduces strict penalties for discrimination, forced sterilization, and exploitation. It guarantees access to healthcare, education, and public services, with tax exemptions for caregivers and permanent registration for people with long-term disabilities. The Act also strengthens the powers of the National Council for Persons with Disabilities and aligns Kenya’s framework with the Constitution—particularly Articles 2(6), 27, 54 and 260—and UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Civil society and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights welcomed the legislation but stressed the need for swift implementation and public education to realize its potential.
Sources: Persons with Disabilities Act - Act No. 4 of 2025, The Conversation, Daily Nation, The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, National Council for Persons with Disabilities, The Constitution of Kenya
January 2025
Kenya reported record number of femicide cases in 2024
In 2024, Kenya experienced an unprecedented surge in femicide, with at least 170 women killed—the highest annual toll on record according to Africa Uncensored and Odipo Dev. This represents a 79 per cent increase from 2023, when 95 cases were recorded. Between September and November 2024 alone, law enforcement agencies recorded 97 femicide cases, averaging more than one woman killed every day. The Nairobi Women's Hospital's Gender Violence Recovery Center report receiving approximately 4,000 gender-based violence cases monthly, highlighting the widespread nature of the crisis. Activists attribute the rise in gender-based violence to systemic misogyny and inadequate legal protections. In response to public outcry, President William Ruto established a 42-member task force to address gender-based violence, though concerns remain about its potential effectiveness. Advocates continue to call for comprehensive reforms to ensure women's safety and justice.
Sources: Africa Uncensored (1), Africa Uncensored (2), Foreign Policy, The Conversation, Al Jazeera, Nation
November 2024
Reports highlight surge in state-sanctioned abductions
In November, Kenya’s human rights commission reported a surge in state-sanctioned abductions in Kenya, raising concerns about a growing pattern of enforced disappearances linked to state-actors. A report by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), an independent watchdog, described the situation as an “unprecedented wave” of abductions and killings targeting various individuals. In its report released on 20 November, KNCHR documented 74 enforced disappearances between June and November 2024, with 26 individuals still missing. Rights groups have warned that these cases reflect increasing impunity and a deteriorating human rights environment in the country.
Sources: Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Voice of America, Reuters, The Africa Report
See all event reports for this country
Global ranking per category of democratic performance in 2024
Basic Information
Human Rights Treaties
State party
Signatory
No action
Performance by category over the last 6 months
Global State of Democracy Indices
Hover over the trend lines to see the exact data points across the years
Factors of Democratic Performance Over Time
Use the slider below to see how democratic performance has changed over time
