Kenan Kaya was an executive of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Hakkari (Colemêrg) Provincial Organization. He was arrested in Izmir on 25 October 2022, after the sentence on the charge of "membership of an illegal organization" was upheld.

Kaya was held in Izmir Buca S Type Closed Prison for a while, and was later deported to Kavak S Type Closed Prison in Samsun. He suffered two heart attacks in prison.

Kaya recently had an angiogram at a private hospital after his relatives covered the expenses, and he has been receiving medication in prison since 29 April 2024.

During a visit with his family, Kaya said that his medication had run out. The family issued a statement, saying: "Kenan said during our that his condition was very serious and that he finished his medication. He said that despite his petition for two weeks, his medication was not given to him. He said that he is being left to die. Kenan also said that he had severe heart pain in the morning, but despite this, he was not taken to the hospital."