Kenya


This country page describes, in brief, data that TJET has compiled on regime transitions, intrastate conflict episodes, and transitional justice mechanisms. For details on the data included on this page, view the FAQ.

For Kenya, TJET has collected information on: nine amnesties between 1978 and 2015; 60 domestic trials starting between 1982 and 2016; four international trials starting between 2011 and 2015; one reparations policy created in 2013; one truth commission mandated in 2008; and two vetting policies starting between 2011 and 2013.

Select any transitional justice mechanism in the table below to view a timeline in the figure.


Country Background

Democratic Transition

Based on well-known democracy data, TJET records one democratic transition starting in 2002.

Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.

Violent Conflict

Based on the Uppsala Conflict Data Program, TJET records two violent intrastate conflict episodes between 1982 and 2020 (during seven calendar years), involving two distinct armed opposition groups fighting against the government. One conflict episode was internationalized by involvement of external state actors.

Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions. Source: UCDP Dyadic Dataset version 23.1, https://ucdp.uu.se/downloads/index.html#dyadic.


Transitional Justice Data

As of 2020, Kenya ranks 29th out of 174 on TJET’s legacy of violence index. For a full list of country rankings over time, view the index page, and for an explanation of the index, view the Methods & FAQs page.


Amnesties

Kenya had nine amnesties between 1978 and 2015. Three were passed during ongoing internal armed conflict. One was passed after internal armed conflict. Three amnesties released political prisoners. Two amnesties forgave human rights violations.

Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.


Domestic Trials

TJET has compiled data on 60 domestic prosecutions between 1982 and 2020. These include four transitional human rights prosecutions of state agents, in which one person was convicted; 55 regular human rights prosecutions of state agents, in which 36 persons were convicted; and one intrastate conflict prosecution of opposition members, in which one person was convicted.

Click on accused records for data on convictions. Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.


International or Hybrid Trials

Nationals of Kenya were subject to three international prosecutions between 2011 and 2015, which led to no convictions. The ICC's Office of the Prosecutor opened a preliminary examination of the situation in Kenya in 2010. The first investigation of a specific case began in 2010. Starting in 2011, the ICC issued nine arrest warrants, seven of which resulted in court appearances. Proceedings began in three cases between 2013 and 2022.

Click on accused records for data on convictions. Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.


Reparations Policies

Kenya mandated one reparations policy in 2013. TJET found no information on the total number of beneficiaries. One reparations policy provided collective benefits. TJET found no evidence on implementation.

Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.


Truth Commissions

Kenya mandated one truth commission in 2008. The commission completed its operations in 2013. The commission issued a final report, which is publicly available. The report included recommendations for prosecutions, reparations, and institutional reforms.

Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.


Vetting Policies

Kenya had two vetting policies, starting in 2011; TJET found no information on whether or when the policies ended. These policies provided sanctions based on past individual conduct.

Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.


UN Investigations

Kenya was subject to one UN investigation in 2008. One investigation aimed to encourage domestic prosecutions.

Data up to 2020. Hover over column labels for definitions.


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