The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has strongly condemned officers from the Kenya Police Service over use of excessive force during the ongoing Saba Saba anniversary demonstrations.
The commission, through an official presser sighted by Nairobi News noted with great displeasure that it had documented ten fatalities and 29 serious injuries perpetrated by police during the demos.
That is not all, KNCHR also disclosed that there were two cases of abductions and 37 unwarranted arrests across 17 counties.
The commission went on to fault the police for barricading various major roads and entry points, severely disrupting movement of people in most towns such as Nairobi, Kiambu, Meru, Nyeri, Nakuru, Kisii and Embu.
This, according to KNCHR inconvenienced many citizens who were unable to report to work and conduct their businesses.
The aforementioned was contrary to a directive issued by the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Geoffrey Ruku on Sunday, July 6, requiring all civil servants to report to work without fail.
Countless businesses countrywide remained closed due to fest of looting and destruction of property.
Nairobi News understands looting incidents were reported in six counties with Kerugoya Central CDF office set ablaze by goons.
KNCHR also noted that learning was paralysed across the country as most schools and educational institutions remained closed during the Saba Saba anniversary demonstrations.
In addition, the commission also faulted the NPS for disregarding the High Court orders demanding all police officers managing demonstrations to be in their official uniforms and remain identifiable at all times during the demos.
It was noted that most officers who hit the streets covered themselves in hoods and face masks making it difficult to differentiate them from goons.
Wrapping up the official statement, KNCHR condemned the attack on its Nairobi offices on Sunday, July 6, believed to have been perpetrated by hired goons who brutalised staff and innocent members of the public who were lawfully exercising their constitutional rights to assembly and expression.
KNCHR ‘s position was complimented by Police Reforms Working Group – Kenya who posted the following statement:
