The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) condemns in the strongest terms possible the brutality meted on Trevor Mureithi, a student at Multimedia University, by police officers on Tuesday 17th September, 2024.
Barely two months after deadly protests rocked the country where countless police brutality cases were documented, the National Police Service is on the headlines again following the Torture of Trevor, who was among the Multimedia University students who were allegedly taking part in the student’s protests.
In a video clip circulating on various media viewed by the Commission, a group of police officers armed with teargas guns and batons are seen hurling kicks and blows at the students before dragging him to a spot where one of the officers released a canister near Trevor before it detonated. Luckily for Trevor, he moved his body in time to avoid it exploding in his face.
It is abhorring to watch such scenes, having witnessed a similar attack at Parliament buildings where a protester was killed after a canister released by security agents exploded on his body. The Commission was consistent in reporting police brutality during the protests with the hope that the Service and its officers will regroup and re strategize on public order management with a view of rightfully dealing with protesters.
We continue to reiterate the tenets of Article 37 of the Constitution; that Every Person has the right to peaceably, UNARMED, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket and to present petitions to public authorities. Additionally, Article 28 provides that Every person has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected.
Trevor was limping and lifting his left leg in pain meaning he most likely needed medical attention and the police officers should have had the humanity to assess the same and act accordingly but instead went ahead to instill more injuries that has led to his hospitalization.
This impunity being displayed by the police must come to an end! We cannot stand by and watch the force turn this country into a banana republic yet resources are invested in their training with the lens of the rule of law.
The Commission recommends the following actions to redress this violation:
1. Immediate investigations: The Commission calls on the Inspector General of Police to embark on immediate investigations of the actions that led to this unfortunate incident. The National police service should take administrative action and command responsibility on the officers involved and allow them to face the full force of the law.
2. Medical expenses: That the service take full responsibility for Trevor’s medical care as a means of reparations to him and his family.
3. Mental health concerns: The National Police Service to heavily invest in mental wellness of officers to ensure they perform their policing duties while in the right state of mind and with respect to the rule of law.
4. Adherence to the Rule of Law: The Commission reminds all that the rule of law and respect to the judicial processes must be adhered to and when aggrieved, the right processes as prescribed by law must be followed.
5. Police to live up to their promise: Police officers should be faithful to their mission of ‘utumishi kwa wote’. Security personnel will be held individually culpable for breach of the law.
Finally, the Commission shall continue to discharge its constitutional duty of protecting and promoting the rights of all Kenyans. The Commission calls upon anyone with concerns about any violations that may have occurred during the protests at Multimedia University to contact us via-: SMS-22359, Email- complaint@knchr.org or on our Toll Free Line 0800 720 627.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) is an Independent National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) established under Article 59 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 and the KNCHR Act, 2011. The Commission’s mandate is the promotion and protection of human rights in Kenya.
May Justice be our Shield and Defender!
Roseline Odede, HSC,
Chairperson,
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).