IPOA asked to investigate police conduct in Nakuru
AI says what unfolded was not just a shameful abuse of police authority, but a direct assault on constitutional freedoms
Human rights activists and journalist organisations have condemned unlawful police actions witnessed in Nakuru last night and today morning, where police officers violently disrupted the performance of “Echoes of War” play by students from Butere Girls High School, and journalists covering the National Drama Festival assaulted.
In a statement to the press, Amnesty International Kenya termed it as a worrying pattern of state-sponsored repression of free expression, press freedom, and the right to associate.
According to Amnesty International Kenya Section Director Irungu Houghton, what unfolded was not just a shameful abuse of police authority, but a direct assault on constitutional freedoms.
Irungu stated that by targeting a school play performed by children, the state is criminalizing creativity and turning cultural spaces into zones of fear and censorship.
He added that the brazen attack undermines children’s rights to participate in society through art, as stipulated in the Kenyan law and international human rights standards.
Amnesty further called for the release of Malala, who they reiterated was arrested and arbitrarily detained.
“Amnesty International Kenya strongly condemns the unlawful police actions between yesterday and today, in Nakuru, where they violently disrupted the performance of Echoes of War by Butere girls and assaulted journalists covering the performance. The state is criminalizing creativity and turning cultural spaces into zones of fear and censorship. The attack undermines children’s right to participate in society through art,” Irungu stated.
According to Amnesty, the freedom of children to explore social realities through art must not be up for negotiation.
“The Children Act 2022 and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child affirm the right of every child to freely express themselves, including through artistic performance. The government must honor its obligations under these laws and protect the right of all children to participate in cultural life without fear of censorship, intimidation, or violence. We call on the state to reverse any attempts to prohibit such performances now or in the future,” they urged.
They further called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to initiate prompt and transparent investigations into the conduct of all police officers involved in the incident and hold them accountable for violating the policing code of conduct and the Constitution.
This is even as the Nakuru Journalists Association (NJA) and the Crime Journalists Association of Kenya (CJAK) earlier on condemned the attack on journalists as they called on IPOA to investigate and bring to book those involved.
According to CJAK Secretary General Brian Obuya, the National Police Service must reaffirm its Commitment to safeguarding journalists and ensuring they can perform their duties without fear of harassment or violence.
Obuya added that CJAK is willing to collaborate with the NPS to facilitate training sessions aimed at fostering a mutual understanding between law enforcement and the media.
He added that the Nakuru police boss, Michael Mwaura, must be held accountable for the violence witnessed.
“We call upon IPOA to conduct a comprehensive and impartial investigation into this incident. In line with the doctrine of command responsibility, rooted in international humanitarian law, the Nakuru Police Commander, Michael Mwaura, MUST be held responsible for the anarchy, chaos, and violence against journalists,” Obuya stated.
Journalists who were injured while covering a standoff between police officers and Malala, include Maryanne Nyambura of Citizen TV, Peter Kimani of KTN (Kenya Television Network), Robert Maina of Inooro TV & Radio, Joseph Kipsang, Kennedy Gachuhi of Standard Group and Evans Asiba of Citizen TV.
On his part, NJA Chairman Joseph Openda stated that the media plays a vital role in a democratic society, and any attempts to silence or intimidate Journalists must be met with firm resistance and accountability.
In a statement, the NPS had, however, said that any form of unprofessional conduct, interference or obstruction directed at the members of the press shall not be accepted and anyone found in violation of these standards shall be dealt with individually.
“NPS has vowed to work closely with the media while conducting their professional duty. A formal statement is going to be issued at the earliest opportune moment when the facts and circumstances regarding this incident at Nakuru this evening emerge fully in the morning. In the meantime, the County Police Commander has been asked to proactively and on his own motion get to the bottom of this complaint including seeking out the affected members of the press,” it said on Wednesday night.
Despite the assurance, police officers were in full force this morning as they barred journalists and members of the public from accessing the venue where Butere Girls were to perform.
- Additional reporting by Barry Obel
