This research project by THRAETS, in collaboration with the Omega Research Foundation, examines the origins, suppliers, and deployment of less-lethal weapons used by Kenyan authorities, with a focus on Israeli-manufactured tear gas grenades and other riot control munitions. Using open-source research, this report traces the supply chain of these weapons, highlights their human rights impact, and questions the accountability of the actors involved.
In June and July 2024, East Africa experienced a wave of protests, notably in Kenya, where large-scale youth-led demonstrations erupted in response to the contentious Finance Bill 2024. The demonstrations were part of a broader effort to pressure President William Ruto, with activist groups staging protests every Tuesday and Thursday, calling for his resignation due to the government’s fiscal policies and handling of the economic crisis.
The right to peaceful assembly is protected as a fundamental human right enshrined in many constitutions and international human rights treaties, including the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. This right is also protected under Kenya’s Constitution. This right is not absolute, however. Kenya’s Penal Code states that any gathering or other meeting or procession that may threaten the peace or public order can be disrupted by the police, and the means for this disruption is not clearly defined. This lack of clarity allows for broad discretionary powers that can be used to suppress legitimate peaceful assemblies, making the Penal Code inconsistent with international human rights law and treaties. Under international law, any restrictions on the right to peaceful assembly must be necessary, proportionate, and non-discriminatory, but Kenya’s legal framework does not explicitly ensure these safeguards.
The main protests took place in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), where they were met with police violence. Smaller protests and gatherings in Nairobi’s suburbs experienced a similarly forceful response. A heightened police presence was observed in the suburbs of Githurai, Zimmerman, Pipeline, and Ongata Rongai—just miles away from CBD—on nights that preceded the protests. In these residential areas, police primarily used less-lethal ammunition like teargas and water cannons to disperse gatherings and peaceful protests, long into the night. Over 60 deaths related to the protests have been confirmed by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, with some of the fatalities resulting from indiscriminate police action in Ongata Rongai and Githurai. This situation further raises questions about police conduct in peaceful protests.
Footage from these demonstrations allowed us to study and analyse the crowd control equipment used by security forces, expanding our digital library research as part of the Tech Misuse and Abuse Project.
Using open-source investigation methods, Thraets verified over 40 videos and 120 images documenting the demonstrations in Kenya, particularly around the #RejectTheFinanceBill2024 and #RutoMustGo campaigns. These images and videos, shared on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, highlighted nearly four different demonstrations where tear gas was excessively used. Reports showed that this tear gas misuse included excessive use and firing directly at peaceful protesters, which violates standard crowd control protocols.
To confirm the validity of these events, Africa Uncensored, the Thraets team, and the Omega Research Foundation, a network of open-source researchers, used various investigative techniques to confirm the location, date, and authenticity of these events, which were crucial for our investigation. We analysed visual elements in the footage and cross-referenced them with Google Maps and Google Street View to verify the locations, specifically in cities like Nairobi, where Street View is available. Additionally, we extracted key frames from the videos and conducted reverse image searches using Google Images and Bing Images to check for earlier occurrences or any manipulated versions. Furthermore, using the ExifTool, we performed a metadata analysis on the videos shared by journalists, examining the embedded data to gather information about the creation time and the device used for recording.
The Connection to Israel
Our open-source revealed that security forces used tear gas grenades, most of which, we believe, were manufactured by ISPRA Ltd, an Israeli company specialising in developing and manufacturing devices for riot control, crowd management, anti-terror equipment, and police gear. ISPRA’s products include tear gas grenades, anti-riot guns, and various types of ammunition, some of which have been used by security operatives in the Kenyan protests. While some of the less-lethal munitions are clearly identifiable as ISPRA products, there is some doubt over the black grenades, which appear physically different from ISPRA’s signature composite fiberboard construction. Instead, these grenades bear more resemblance to Icemak products, another manufacturer known for producing riot control munitions, which are already in use by the Kenyan police.
ISPRA Ltd is an Israeli company founded in 1969, specialising in producing tear gas and other less-lethal ammunition. With the tagline, ‘smart solutions for riot control,’ ISPRA exports anti-riot gear worldwide and is a major supplier to Israeli police and military. However, they maintain a limited online presence, with minimal information available on their exports, financial status, employee count, or annual reports. Their LinkedIn page, which appears to be their only social media page, shows 84 associated employees with no posts or articles.
Many companies like ISPRA do not maintain a prominent online presence but market their products at arms fairs worldwide. To trace and identify their products, we tracked their participation in Defence Exhibitions and Arms Fairs throughout the years. ISPRA has exhibited at numerous Arms Fairs, including Milipol in Paris since 1993, ADEX in Azerbaijan, KADEX in Kazakhstan (which was cancelled in 2021 due to COVID-19), ShieldAfrica in 2021, and many others. At ADEX 2018, they promoted their Cyclone Anti-Riot Drone System.
This is not the first time an Israeli company has supplied equipment to an African country. In early 2001, the Zimbabwean Financial Gazette newspaper reported that Zimbabwe had sought at least 30 riot control vehicles as part of a $10 million deal with another Israeli company called the Beit Alfa Trailer Company (BAT). Evidence indicates that ISPRA grenades were used in Burundi in 2015 during a period of unrest following President Pierre Nkurunziza’s controversial decision to seek a third term. This led to widespread protests and violent crackdowns. In Chad, the use of ISPRA grenades in 2021 may be connected to post-election unrest following the death of President Idriss Déby, which resulted in a transitional military council taking control amid protests. Additionally, in Uzbekistan in 2022, after proposed constitutional changes affecting the sovereignty of Karakalpakstan sparked demonstrations, ISPRA grenades were also reported.
The ‘less-lethal’ anti-riot gear collected by demonstrators during the #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests included impact rounds manufactured by ISPRA Ltd between 2017 and 2022, as well as tear gas grenades and cartridges. These rounds were specifically designed to manage rioting crowds in various ways, ranging from causing less-lethal pain to fully incapacitating people without causing permanent harm. The goal is to control both individual targets and larger groups effectively.
The equipment identified and documented by our team included 37/38/40 mm less-lethal launchers, multi-effect grenades, and 37/38 mm ammunition such as the G2020-CS/CS (multi-effect grenade: CS smoke, stun, and CS powder), C850-XRB (37/38 mm round: 24 bullet balls), and C850-1CS (37/38 mm round: CS smoke), among others.
(C850-XRB – impact rounds and balls )
The image above, from the Kenyan riots, shows ammunition containing Kinetic Impact Projectiles with the product label “C850-XRB,” which matches the labels from products produced by ISPRA Ltd as shown in the 2019 ISPRA Catalogue.
Another such example is the C850-1CS, which also matches the labels from ISPRA Ltd products, as shown in this Instagram post.
The orange label ‘Model 2020’ was mapped to the Multi-effect grenades G2020-CS/CS. However, some of the protesters confused the label 2020 with the expiration date, as in this video shared here, which is not correct. Another example is this video from 2023, where a protester makes the same claims in Kisumu.
During the protests, Kenyans reported seeing an orange-red substance used on crowds of protesters, for the first time, leading to questions on what exactly it was and how potentially dangerous it might be. This substance was named “Agent Orange”, and there were a number of conspiracy theories shared online (here, here and here) about who was responsible for the new type of tear gas.
“Agent Orange” was a chemical herbicide and defoliant used by the U.S. military as part of its herbicidal warfare program, Operation Ranch Hand, during the Vietnam War from 1961 to 1971. Manufacture of Agent Orange ceased in the 1980s following revelations of the long-term effects of dioxins, the key substances contained in the herbicide. According to articles and online reports, including one by Nation Media Group, we believe the strange teargas is an Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) grenade, derived from capsaicin – the active ingredient in chilli peppers, which ISPRA produces.
Based on photos from the #RejectTheFinanceBill2024 demonstrations in Kenya, Thraets identified canisters visually similar to ISPRA G2020 (Israel) by exact serial number and part number patterns as per ISPRA Ltd products shared in catalogues on their website.
The Rise in Crowd Control Tech from Israel: Intermediaries and Questionable Deals
In 2014, the Times of Israel reported a 40% increase in Israeli weapons exports to African countries compared to the previous year, which was corroborated by Defence Ministry data. This surge likely included tear gas purchases from ISPRA Ltd., which we estimate began between 2010 and 2015. This assumption is supported by an investigation by the Kenyan Auditor-General into the 3.8 billion KES spent by the Kenyan Ministry of Interior, which is responsible for policing functions and internal security. This investigation was documented by John Ngirachu at the Nation.
The report indicated that ISPRA Ltd. received 272 million KES, with significant payments made on June 30, 2015, the last day of the financial year, into accounts at Kenya Commercial Bank and the National Bank of Kenya. Although the article does not specify tear gas, it lists arms, insurance, vehicles, and helicopter repairs among the purchases (Standard News Archive).
The Star also reported that the same mysterious account No. 1109896077 at KCB, Moi Avenue Branch, transacted over Sh8.7 billion without the authority of the National Treasury as required by law. This was the same account that was used to pay ISPRA Ltd, according to the Standard News article.
To identify the types of teargas used by Kenya Police, Thraets research analysts searched for images tagged with ‘Kenya Tear Gas’ from as early as the 2000s on Getty Images, which is where a lot of news photos are catalogued. This analysis, which included the examination of 1,663 photos, confirmed that, before 2010, Kenyan police primarily used tear gas from the French company, Nobel Securité, based on the examination of the launchers and tear gas canisters depicted in the images. ISPRA Ltd.’s specific tear gas canisters first appeared around 2006, but their increased use was seen in 2010, which marked a shift in the type of tear gas used by Kenyan police.
Our research shows the transition from Nobel Securite to ISPRA Ltd happened before 2010, which coincided with the reported increase in Israeli arms exports to Africa.
Timeline of Tear Gas Usage and Protests in Kenya
2005:
- Police used tear gas during various protests, with evidence showing tear gas canisters from Nobel Securite, a French company.
- Example:2005 anti-Referendum protest
2006:
- Continued use of Nobel Securite tear gas during protests.
- There was the first documented use of ISPRA Ltd’s tear gas canisters.
- Examples: 2006 Nairobi Hawkers protest, 2006 pro-Uhuru Kenyatta protest
2007-2008:
- Continued use of Nobel Securite tear gas during post-election protests.
- Examples:2008 Post-Election Violence
2010-2012:
- A documented use of ISPRA Ltd’s Model-2020 tear gas canisters in Kenyan protests, as seen in these Getty Images, where a policeman is seen holding a blue and orange tear gas canister.
- Example: 2012 photo from Eastleigh
2014:
- Increased visibility of ISPRA Ltd.’s tear gas in protests.
- Example: 2014 State of the Nation protest, 2014 University of Nairobi strike
2023-2024:
- Protests reignited in response to the Finance Bill, which proposed significant tax increases and other financial reforms in June 2023 and June 2024. Demonstrations continued throughout June and July, with heavy police response and the use of tear gas procured from ISPRA Ltd.
- Example: Finance Bill Protests, July 16
The consistent use of intermediaries and secondary channels by Israeli companies in Africa, often through dubious means, has been well-documented. This practice, highlighted by Yotam Gidron in Israel in Africa, exemplifies Israel’s ‘middleman’ approach to diplomacy on the continent.
Israeli companies often operate through local intermediaries to facilitate deals, a practice that has allowed certain firms to navigate the complex regulatory environments and political landscapes that would ordinarily exist for companies dealing in sensitive goods while distancing themselves from direct involvement in potentially controversial transactions. This strategy also allows them to circumvent restrictions and embargoes that might be in place.
Gidron notes that this approach has been a key aspect of Israel’s engagement in Africa, with intermediaries playing crucial roles in arms deals, security contracts, and other business ventures. The use of intermediaries is seen as a way to maintain plausible deniability and reduce direct accountability for actions taken by local agents on behalf of Israeli interests.
HSN Codes and Export Details
Using open-source tools like Volza Grow Global, we confirmed that there were at least four recent exports of tear gas to Kenya from ISPRA Israel Product Co Ltd. The platform also mentions that ISPRA’s top export market is Kenya, with top export product categories including HSN Codes 7610900000, 8421399000, and 9020000000. HSN code stands for Harmonized System of Nomenclature, a 6-digit uniform code that classifies over 5000 products. Recent exports to Kenya under these codes include:
- HSN Code 9306900000: ‘42 STEEL DRUMS PARTS FOR GRENADE CLASS 6 1 4 1 UN 1700’, which are tear gas grenades
- HSN Code 7610900000: ‘1X20 FT CNTR STC 3 UNITS PORTABLE ALUMINIUM LADDER 7 CARTONS TACTICAL GAS MASK FILTERS STEEL DRUMS PARTS FOR G808 ST GRENADE CLASS 6 1 4 1 UN 1700’
The substantial volume of tear gas grenades and related riot control equipment being exported to Kenya suggests a continued and perhaps increased use of tear gas for crowd dispersion. This raises significant concerns about the long-term health impacts on the Kenyan population and the potential escalation in the use of force in managing public demonstrations.
Health Impacts
According to a recent article by Nation Media, over 958 tear gas cartridges and grenades were used in one night in Nairobi’s Githurai suburb, some of which were thrown into the houses in the suburb. This incident underscores the urgent need for more thorough investigations into the health impacts of tear gas exposure. Tear gas, which is commonly composed of chemicals like CS (2-chlorobenzalmalononitrile) or CN (chloroacetophenone), is designed to cause temporary incapacitation by irritating the eyes, respiratory system, and skin. However, the health impacts can extend beyond temporary discomfort to include:
- Chronic respiratory problems, including asthma and bronchitis: The chemicals can aggravate existing respiratory problems and cause severe inflammation of the airways, making breathing difficult and potentially leading to long-term damage. This effect was noted by medics attending to injured protesters as reported by The Nation on July 16, 2024.
- Ocular Damage: Tear gas exposure can result in temporary blindness and long-term eye damage. Symptoms include severe irritation, tearing, and conjunctivitis. In some cases, it can lead to permanent vision impairment.
- Dermatological Effects: The skin can suffer from severe burns and rashes upon contact with tear gas. Prolonged exposure may lead to chronic skin conditions and infections due to the compromised skin barrier.
- Reproductive Health: There have been reports of miscarriages and menstrual irregularities following tear gas exposure.
Additionally, there have been multiple instances of anti-riot police officers firing teargas cartridges at unarmed protesters from close range. This practice weaponises the force of the launcher and the impact of the cartridge, leading to injuries such as broken bones and internal bleeding. If a cartridge strikes someone in the head, it can even be fatal.
Conclusion
Israel’s engagement with African nations is evolving, but perhaps not in the expected direction. While recent years have seen Israel exporting advanced surveillance technologies to countries across the continent, there’s a parallel trend of supplying traditional crowd control equipment such as tear gas canisters. This shift to ‘less-than-lethal’ riot gear demonstrates the multifaceted nature of Israel’s strategic relationships in Africa. The expansion into supplying tear gas, as seen with companies like ISPRA Ltd., raises questions about the broader implications of Israel’s involvement in African security matters.
As Israel leverages its expertise in surveillance and crowd control technologies for diplomatic and economic gains in Africa, concerns grow about the potential consequences. The deepening of dictatorships and weakening of democracy across the continent can no longer be ignored. In light of these developments, it is imperative to critically examine how Israel’s involvement in African security matters might be impacting the political landscape. The increasing use of Israeli-supplied crowd control equipment, such as tear gas, not only affects public health but also influences the dynamics of civil unrest and state responses. This calls for a nuanced understanding and rigorous scrutiny of the long-term consequences of such exports on the democratic fabric and human rights conditions in African countries.
Our cataloging of these non-lethal weapons is an ongoing project. If you have any images or videos not featured in this post, we welcome your contributions. Please share them with our research team at [email protected] to help expand this important resource.