The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has strongly condemned the deportation of its Senior Program and Legal Advisor on Transitional Justice, Martin Mavenjina, to Uganda.
In a press statement released on Sunday, KHRC said Mavenjina had returned to Kenya on Saturday night at around 10 p.m. following an official visit to South Africa.
However, shortly after his arrival, he was deported under circumstances the commission has termed as unlawful and politically motivated.
According to KHRC, Mavenjina holds a valid work permit, and there was no legal basis for his forced removal from the country.
#PressStatement
The government has deported @MartinMavenjina, KHRC’s senior legal advisor on transitional justice. Since June 25, the regime has been deliberately targeting human rights defenders, and Mavenjina’s deportation is part of their strategy. pic.twitter.com/MQWU8nLany— KHRC (@thekhrc) July 6, 2025
“The officer in charge of transitional justice holds valid documentation allowing him to work in Kenya. His deportation is not only unlawful but part of a larger scheme to silence human rights defenders,” the statement said.
The Commission accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of orchestrating a targeted crackdown on civil society actors and human rights activists.
“Since June 25, the regime has been deliberately targeting human rights defenders, and Mavenjina’s deportation is part of their broader strategy to suppress dissent,” KHRC added.
The commission vowed to pursue all legal and diplomatic avenues to ensure Mavenjina’s safe return.
