NAIROBI NOVEMBER 4, 2016(CISA) – The Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC) has condemned police brutality in dispersing anti corruption protesters on November 3, at Uhuru Park in Nairobi.
“The Commission is concerned at the conduct of police officers that led to the forceful dispersal of the demonstrators and the arbitrary and brutal arrest of 10 of them,” said the Commission Chairperson, Kagwiria Mbogori in a statement.
She noted that the police contravened the rights of the protesters after they violently dispersed them before they even kicked off their demonstrations.
Ms Mbogori said that the Inspector General of Police must institute disciplinary action against the police officers who violently dispersed the protesters.
“The Inspector General of Police must initiate a disciplinary action against police officers who forcibly dispersed a peaceful anti corruption protest in Uhuru Park,” she said.
“This uncalled for violence was extended to other members of the public who were innocently undertaking their daily businesses bringing the business to a standstill,” she added.
Journalists and other members of the public who were caught in the mix were also attacked; a move Mbogori said was in ‘blatant breach of the Constitution.’
“This is in clear contravention of contravention of Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya that guarantees every person the right to peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, demonstrate, to picket and present petitions to public authorities,” she pointed out.
Police turned their guns on a group of about 30 local and international journalists, who were covering the protests.
The protest was organized by Boniface Mwangi-led PAWA 254 and The Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC).
