The deportation of Martin Mavenjina, a Ugandan human rights defender, who was forced to leave Kenya under unclear circumstances on July 5, 2025, has sparked protests from the civil society community.
In a statement issued on July 11, 2025, the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty (World Coalition) said that no formal deportation order or legal justification was presented to Mavenjina.
“The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty (World Coalition) has been informed that Martin Mavenjina was unjustifiably forced to leave Kenya on 5 July 2025,” read part of the statement.
In response, the World Coalition, alongside the Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders, has called for the safe and unconditional return of Mavenjina to Kenya.
Ugandan Mavenjina Deportation from Kenya
According to the Coalition, the human rights defender was neither informed of the reasons behind his removal nor provided with any official notice or explanation for being forced to leave Kenya.
Mavenjina, who is legally married to a Kenyan citizen and has two Kenyan children, was initially allowed to pass through immigration checks at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
However, immigration officers later reversed their decision without giving any explanation. They later confiscated his passport and detained him, and thereafter escorted him to the Kenya Airways desk, where he was issued a one-way ticket to Kampala.
His passport was stamped with an exit mark before he was deported.
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Attack on KHRC Offices
The coalition also raised concern over a disturbing incident that took place at the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) offices on July 6, 2025.
“We also draw attention to a disturbing incident at KHRC’s office, on 6 July 2025. KHRC reports that a press conference was to be conducted by a group of Kenyan mothers who seek an end to arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings,” read the statement.
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About Martin Mavenjina
Mavenjina, a Ugandan human rights advocate, has lived and worked in Kenya since 2013, where he holds valid legal status. He is legally married to a Kenyan citizen and has two Kenyan children.
Known for his work in human rights advocacy, he was elected Vice-President of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty on July 1, 2025, with a two-year term.
Additionally, he serves as a senior legal advisor of KHRC, a prominent national non-governmental organization dedicated to the abolition of the death penalty.
He is also an elected member of the World Coalition Against the Death Penalty’s Steering Committee.
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