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| interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki |
The National Police Service (NPS) has come under sharp criticism for the police’s high-handed response to arguably peaceful anti-government protests. Interior CS Kithure Kindiki assured Kenyans that police officers would face consequences for actions during protests. The police have been directly and indirectly involved in the deaths of at least 39 Kenyans, with scores injured. How will Kindiki deal with police excesses In a press briefing on Tuesday, July, Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki assured Kenyans of action against rogue police officers. Kindiki stated that any infractions committed by law enforcement officers would not go unpunished, adding that appropriate action would be taken against officers found guilty of exceeding their mandate. The CS delved into alleged police abductions during the protests, underscoring that every Kenyan is protected against arbitrary arrests and enforced disappearances. “The Government has noted with concern claims of abductions and enforced disappearances allegedly perpetrated by security personnel. All persons within the territory of Kenya are protected from unlawful or arbitrary arrests, abductions, enforced disappearances, or any other illegal method of confining suspected criminals for purposes of investigations, for prosecution, or for whatever purpose whatsoever,” Kindiki said.Will police crackdown on protesters Kindiki reiterated that the Kenya Kwanza government would not interfere with the Kenyans’ constitutional right to picket. “The Government of Kenya undertakes most unequivocally to respect, uphold, promote, and fulfil the right to demonstrate within the parameters provided for under the Constitution. This right, as well as all other constitutionally guaranteed rights and freedoms, must be enjoyed within the law, peaceably, and without disrupting civil order. So enjoyed, human rights and freedoms are inherent, inalienable, and cannot be taken away by any person or authority,” he added. However, Kindiki stated that to avoid impunity, the organisers, planners, and financiers of the crimes committed during peaceful demonstrations would be prosecuted.
by Didacus Malowa