NAIROBI MAY, 17 2016 (CISA) – The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has raised concerns on deployment of excessive force by the security agencies in the May 16 protest by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD).
“The Commission is particularly dismayed by the gory scenes witnessed yesterday in Kisumu, Nairobi, Kisii and Machakos where demonstrators who had already been subdued were subjected to gruesome violence by the police resulting in serious bodily harm,” read a statement from KNCHR.
“This conduct by the police is occurring despite the massive investment that Kenyans continues to make towards reforming the security agencies. When police disobey the law with such corrosive impunity, they lose legitimacy as law enforcers and alienate themselves from the very public they are mandated to serve,” said the commission in a press statement signed by the Chairperson Kagwiria Mbogori.
“Finally we urge members of the CORD Coalition, their supporters and members of the public to always exercise their rights within the rule of law since rights also come with responsibility”, the statement concluded.
CORD is seeking the removal of commissioners of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) accusing the commission of bias in favour of the government.
CORD has pledged to continue holding countrywide demonstrations every Monday until IEBC is disbanded.
