Victims of torture at Nyayo House during President Daniel Moi’s regime have sued the government for non-compliance.
The suit, filed by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), and four survivors—Wachira Waheire, Florence Murage, Joseph Manje, and Ngotho Kariuki—aims to make the restricted chambers a national monument.
Attorney-General Justin Muturi, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki, and Tourism CS Peninah Malonza are named in the case. The petitioners challenge Legal Notice Number 11 of 1991, which blocked public access to the Nyayo House torture chambers.
The petitioners say this ban goes against an order from the Truth, Justice, and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC), which allowed public access. They note the directive was supposed to be implemented within a year but has not been.
“Without quick action, victims or survivors of the Nyayo Torture Chambers will keep being denied their rights to reparation and justice,” the petition states.
The victims claim there have been efforts to destroy the chambers to hide the crimes. If the court supports the suit, the chambers would be opened to the public for remembrance and learning about Kenya’s history, according to KHRC officials.
On February 18, 2003, the chambers were opened for the first time, allowing public access, but later efforts to keep them open failed. The Human Rights Commission states that access now needs permission from the Nairobi County Commissioner and the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
Nyayo House, built in 1983 by President Daniel Moi after four years of construction, housed the infamous torture chambers. Notable survivors include Azimio leader Raila Odinga, and politicians Koigi wa Wamwere and Gitobu Imanyara.
Making these rooms a national monument and opening them to the public would honor and respect the survivors and those who died in the chambers.
However, the government has repeatedly opposed reopening the rooms, citing the dark past where innocent Kenyans were illegally detained and tortured.
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