The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has been monitoring today’s protests held in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kilifi and Kwale Counties. The Commission has recorded twenty-two (22) casualties including the shooting, by police, of a peaceful civilian who was shot at close range in Nairobi CBD and is currently (as at 1900hrs) in critical condition at the Kenyatta National Hospital. The other injuries range from gunshot wounds, head cuts, whip lashes, blunt trauma and asthma attacks after inhaling teargas.
The Commission condemns the arrest of protestors including four Human Rights Defenders in Mombasa despite being peaceful and having duly notified the police in line with the law. The commission calls for immediate and unconditional release of the protestors. The KNCHR commends the majority of the protestors for being peaceful despite attacks and provocation by the police and hired goons.A key highlight in today’s protests in Nairobi was the massive deployment of masked hired goons in motorbikes who patrolled the streets as they brutalized the protestors and innocent Wananchi with tyre whips, wooden bars and other crude weapons. The Commission witnessed hordes of thugs viciously attack and rob protestors and other civilians in the streets of Nairobi.
This is an unacceptable conduct by the police who are required to discharge their duties professionally and provide security for all persons in Kenya without favour or bias. The conduct of the police not only takes Kenya back to the dark past but is a sure recipe for creating anarchy in the Country. Many businesses in Nairobi closed down due to massive looting and vandalism by the marauding gangs.
Further, most of the police officers concealed their vehicle registration numbers and faces with masks and hoods in contravention of a High Court ruling last year that requires all police officers assigned to handle protests to be in official uniform and remain identifiable at all times. When those charged with maintaining law and order break the law with such impunity, they encourage citizens to disobey the law.
KNCHR will continue monitoring the protests and requests members of the public to report any human rights violations through our Toll free number: 0800 720627 or SMS 22359.
Haki Kwa wote kila wakati!
Dr. Raymond Nyeris, Ph.D,
Vice Chairperson,
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).