Issued by the Mathare Social Justice Centre (MSJC) on 17th June 2025
The Mathare Social Justice Centre (MSJC) strongly condemns the ongoing threats and incitement targeting human rights defenders who are courageously advancing the People’s Demands, empowered by their constitutional rights under Article 37 to protest and petition. Of grave concern is the recent inciteful tweet by state agent Francis Gaitho, who is spearheading a smear campaign against Wanjira Wanjiru, a respected and committed social justice and human rights activist with MSJC
The Mathare Social Justice Centre (MSJC) strongly condemns the ongoing threats and incitement targeting human rights defenders who are courageously advancing the People’s Demands, empowered by their constitutional rights under Article 37 to protest and petition. Of grave concern is the recent inciteful tweet by state agent Francis Gaitho, who is spearheading a smear campaign against Wanjira Wanjiru, a respected and committed social justice and human rights activist with MSJC. His words, “if you see Wanjira Wanjiru in the streets, mumalizeni”, constitute a direct threat to her life and to the broader movement defending democratic rights, justice, and dignity.
These utterances, echoed by other state-backed elements, are part of a wider smear campaign aimed at delegitimizing the people’s uprising and diverting attention from the legitimate demands for justice.
Let it be known: should anything happen to Wanjira Wanjiru or any other social justice and human rights defender, the responsibility shall lie squarely with the state under President William Samoei Ruto.
MSJC has consistently and boldly advocated against extra-judicial killings and police brutality—an issue that has become more rampant and openly violent since the #Occupy protests of 2024. The records of killings are public, brutal, and shamefully unaddressed. We demand accountability and an immediate end to this repression.
The voices rising in defense of life, land, and dignity are built by the conscience of a people betrayed. The People’s Demands are demands for social justice: the right to food, education, housing, jobs, healthcare, land, and freedom from violence and exploitation. These are not privileges; they are rights. The mass uprising being prepared for June 25th is rooted in these clear and uncompromising demands for TOTAL LIBERATION.
We call upon all human rights institutions, civil society, and the international community to stand in solidarity and urgently raise protection mechanisms for all activists under threat.
THE SECRETARIAT
MATHARE SOCIAL JUSTICE CENTRE (MSJC)
Kwa Macharia Building, Opposite Shell Petrol Station, Juja Road, Bondeni, Mathare
matharesocialjusticecentre@gmail.com