Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has warned police against using excessive force while dealing with peaceful demonstrators.
Kindiki said it had been brought to the attention of his office that there are a few police officers who are overzealous on quelling riots and who use disproportionate and unwarranted force while dealing with unarmed protesters.
Kindki said the Constitution of Kenya 2010, allowed Kenyans to assemble and peacefully air their grievances to the authorities, adding that after that they can be let to go, or even be escorted home by police.
“Let the people air their grievances as they want and finish, and if possible, escort them home. We have rogue police officers taking advantage of the situation to exert unnecessary force on protesters and this will not be tolerated.” Kindiki told a security meeting.
Several demonstrators were arrested and thrown into cells around the country, majority of them in Nairobi, with trumped up charges, drawing anger from civil society and human rights groups.
Civil rights crusaders have since come out to strongly condemn use of force and arbitrary arrests during the Saba Saba demonstrations in Nairobi and other parts of the country.
The remarks of the CS come after Azimio La Umoja Coalition leader Raila Odinga, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and the Africa Judges and Jurists Forum castigated anti-riot police officers of using excessive force and live bullets to ensure protesters do not make their way into the city centre.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has ordered the immediate and unconditional release of 73 civilians arrested during Saba Saba demonstrations.
The ODPP order comes after prosecutor Anderson Gikunda told a Nairobi court that the state will not prefer any charges against the suspects.
While confirming the same to the court on Monday, July 10, the suspects’ advocate Otiende Amollo, said that the ODPP had indeed notified him that no charges would be preferred against the arrested.
“Together with my seniors we have been here since 10am and after conferring with the office of the DPP and they have assured us that the 73 suspects who were in the cells will not be charged.” Otiende said.
