DCI Faces Backlash Over Arrest of Artists and Activists Linked to June 25 Protests

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) is at the center of a growing controversy following the arrest of three individuals widely recognized as human rights activists and community organizers.  

The arrests, made on June 26, have sparked outrage among civil society groups, opposition politicians, and fellow activists who view the move as an attempt to suppress dissent. 

The DCI claims the trio played a central role in orchestrating chaos during the June 25 commemorative protests, accusing them of coordinating the infiltration of goons who allegedly looted property and incited violence.  

According to an official statement, the suspects were apprehended aboard a Mombasa-bound bus near Konza City after what the agency described as a “forensic investigation” informed by citizen testimonies. 

But rights groups and colleagues of the arrested have painted a very different picture. 

In a strongly worded statement issued on June 28, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) dismissed the DCI’s report as “baseless” and “a blatant act of criminalising dissent.”  

The KHRC demanded the unconditional release of the three, highlighting their track record as regionally recognized activists who use music and art to promote justice and build movements rooted in nonviolence and solidarity. 

“These charges are not only fabricated, but they also amount to a deliberate distortion of facts,” read part of the KHRC’s statement. 

Further fueling the backlash, Ukweli Party, where one of the arrested individuals serves as Secretary General, condemned the arrests and accused President William Ruto’s administration of political repression.  

The party went as far as alleging that the government had sponsored violent elements to infiltrate the protests in order to discredit them. 

“The real goons were deployed by the state,” said the party’s statement, directly accusing President Ruto of using underhanded tactics to suppress legitimate dissent. 

The three are expected to be arraigned in court on Monday, with the DCI pushing for charges that include incitement to violence, arson, malicious damage to property, theft, and promoting disobedience to the law. 

As Kenya grapples with a resurgence of civil protests and youth-led movements, these arrests are fast becoming a flashpoint in the wider conversation about freedom of expression, assembly, and the role of security forces in a democratic society.  

Critics argue that targeting respected community voices only escalates public distrust and undermines the government’s stated commitment to constitutional rights. 

The coming days, and particularly the Monday court session, will be closely watched as the country assesses whether justice is being upheld or weaponized.