Up to twenty-four people were killed during the anti-government protests in Kisumu and Kisii counties, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and Amnesty International have said.
Some 41 people also sustained serious injuries following altercations with police officers.
The two organizations said they conducted an audit on use of excessive force by police in Nyanza and Western counties during the three cycles of demonstrations, revealing that in Kisumu, most deaths were recorded in Kondele and Nyamasaria areas.
“Most victims were between the ages of 17 to 38 and are overwhelmingly male. The cause of death has been attributed to the use of live and rubber bullets at close range. Some of the victims were picked from their homes by the police, especially in the Nyamasaria area in Kisumu.” LSK told a media conference in Nairobi today.
According to the audit, in Kisumu alone, a total of 107 people assaulted by police were attended to at different hospitals across the county.
Forty-seven of those were treated with gunshot wounds while sixteen others are still recuperating in hospital, including a minor who was shot nine times.
LSK and Amnesty International now want the police commanders in the said areas held accountable for the actions of the officers.
“Victims and survivors of violent acts by police officers have a constitutional right to life and equal protection before the law. These violations must not go unresolved. Police officers found culpable of using excess force must face a court of law and answer to these charges alongside their commanding officers.” LSK said.
Further, they are calling on the government through the proposed national talks, to revisit the unlawful use of excessive force by the National Police Service (NPS) and agree on actions to hold those liable responsible.
