NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- The human rights organization Amnesty International has asked for protection for nine Kenyan activists who have received death threats, officials said.

Eight of the nine people who received death threats are of Kikuyu nationality, and have been slandered by other Kikuyus who accuse them of being "traitors" to their nationality, Amnesty International said Thursday.

The nine have reportedly been outspoken about alleged inconsistencies in December's Kenyan elections and have openly denounced the actions of the country's police and armed gangs.

Amnesty International has asked Kenya's government to secure the protection of every human rights activist in the country.