MALINDI, Kenya – November 12, 2025– Several human rights defenders and journalists were detained this week by masked officers while documenting what they describe as excessive securitization along the Malindi–Lamu corridor.
Among those arrested are prominent activists Shipeta Mathias, Salma Hemed, Francis Auma, Khelef Khalifah, and Atrash Mohamed, alongside journalists Brian Otieno, Ali Roba, and Ali Mwalimu. The group was stopped and detained at a checkpoint near Sabaki Bridge in Malindi while en route to Lamu.
According to reports from Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) and HAKI Africa, the individuals were arrested after refusing to show their identification to officers wearing balaclavas and claiming to be police officers, but who did not present any identification. This, activists argue, constitutes a violation of Kenyan law, as the High Court has previously ruled that police officers must wear uniforms and display proper identification while on duty.
The arrests come amid mounting concerns over the ongoing curfew and road barriers imposed along the Minjila-Lamu road. Since the rise of Al-Shabaab activity in the region, the barriers and curfew were put in place as part of heightened security measures. However, activists have argued that security in the region has improved, and the continued restrictions are unnecessary.
In response, local human rights organizations have called for the immediate removal of the barriers, citing their detrimental effects on local traffic and the freedom of movement of residents and travelers. The activists had written to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen urging the government to address the issue, but their calls have largely gone unheeded. On Tuesday, they attempted to assess whether the barriers had been removed, only to face detention by officers at the checkpoint.
HAKI Africa, a leading human rights organization, has condemned the arrests, stating that the actions of the officers were “illegal and a violation of constitutional rights.” The group also highlighted the growing issue of unlawful ID checks and indefinite curfews, which they argue infringe on Article 39 of the Constitution of Kenya, which guarantees freedom of movement.
“The state must stop targeting human rights defenders and media professionals who are merely advocating for justice and accountability,” said Khelef Khalifah, a senior member of MUHURI, in a statement following the arrests.
Activists have called for the immediate release of the detained individuals, demanding an end to the harassment of citizens and journalists advocating for civil rights. The case has sparked widespread outrage among civil society groups, who see the detention as part of a broader pattern of government repression aimed at silencing dissent.
The issue of security in Lamu remains sensitive, with Al-Shabaab-linked violence having plagued the region for years. Many argue that the government’s ongoing curfews and road barriers are still necessary for maintaining security. However, others, like the detained activists, insist that these measures have outlived their purpose and are now hindering economic activity and movement, without offering any substantial improvement to public safety.
Government Response Pending
As of now, the detained activists and journalists remain in custody, with no official response from authorities. Human rights organizations are calling for an independent investigation into the actions of the officers involved and are urging the government to adhere to legal protocols to restore confidence in the rule of law.
This latest incident is seen by many as part of an ongoing struggle between maintaining national security and upholding fundamental rights—one that continues to challenge both citizens and the government. With growing public concern, many anticipate that the case will escalate and draw further attention to the state’s treatment of human rights defenders and journalists.
