IJM Kenya lawyer awarded Scottish Bar International Human Rights Award
Police Abuse Of Power
May 2025
Earlier this month, the Scottish Bar Association and Faculty of Advocates recognised IJM lawyer Janice Muchemi with their annual International Human Rights Award for her courageous efforts to stop police violence in Kenya.
The award comes the same week that a new report reveals a 450% increase in enforced disappearances in Kenya and worrying numbers of extrajudicial killings during times of protest, putting Kenya's police brutality crisis back in the spotlight.
IJM Kenya's Janice Muchemi received the distinguished award after winning a landmark case that saw three police officers convicted of the murder of her friend and colleague, fellow human rights lawyer Willie Kimani - who had also been fighting a case of police brutality.
Muchemi said: 'It was like holding my breath for seven years, waiting to see if I could get justice for my friend. Since then, our team has seen more breakthroughs in police being held to account for killings and violence; and we won't stop fighting until people in Kenya, including those who are the poorest, know that they are safe.
“I know that if he was here right now, Willie would be the person giving the biggest cheer that the team and I have received this recognition for our work to stop police brutality. I'm deeply grateful for the award - it is both humbling and encouraging to receive it.’
The Selection Committee was chaired by the Right Honourable Lord Bonomy, a retired and eminent senior Scottish judge and former judge of the United Nations International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia.
Lord Bonomy shared, “This year’s award saw a strong field of candidates with nearly 40 applications being received. Among that strong field, our award winner this year stood out.”
Shelagh McCall KC, a member of the Selection Committee, said: “Janice’s work to tackle police brutality and combat impunity is inspirational. It reminds us how important it is to stand in solidarity with lawyers working on the front line, where standing up for human rights can literally be life threatening.”
Police brutality is a significant problem in Kenya and the recent Missing Voices report highlighted this, revealing that enforced disappearances by police in Kenya went up by nearly five times in 2024.
The report also details a worrying number of extrajudicial killings during protests - June and July were the deadliest months, coinciding with the Gen Z demos that gained international attention. The recent BBC documentary Blood Parliament drew further global attention to the problem.
Janice and her IJM colleagues are continuing to take on some of the highest profile police brutality cases in Kenya, including ongoing cases like the murders of six-month-old baby Samantha Pendo and 13-year-old Yassin Moyo. They are determined to see justice, accountability and change in Kenya.