Amnesty International Kenya said Thursday it condemns the continued use of force against protestors.
The continued attacks, and use of excessive, unnecessary, and unlawful force, including lethal force, is leading to increased deaths and injuries of both adults and children, Amnesty’s Houton Irungu said.
He said since the March 2023 protests, Amnesty has noted at least 30 cases of police killings of protesters.
“They include the March 20th and 27th protests (12 killings), the Saba Saba protest (12 killings), and yesterday’s July 19th (6 killings).
The deaths have been attributed to suffocation from tear gas and lethal shootings,” he said in a statement.
He said preliminary investigations have revealed that the police have used beatings, arbitrary arrests and detention of protestors,
indiscriminate and disproportionate use of tear gas and water cannons, and other serious rights violations to police the protests.
“We call for an immediate stop to violent policing and criminalizing of protests by the state.”
“We demand urgent investigations and prosecution of police officers and their commanders for excessive use of force by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and the Director of Public Prosecutions,” he said.
He said the Inspector General of the Police, Japhet Koome, and the Cabinet Secretary of Interior and Administration of National Government, Kithure Kindiki must take practical steps to guarantee the right of everyone to peaceful assembly and protest.
“We directly call on the National Police Service to facilitate all protests and adopt de-escalation tactics at all times when engaging protestors.”
Irungu said calls by political leaders urging the police to shoot and/or arbitrarily arrest protestors and brandishing private firearms must be arrested.
“The government has a duty to protect protestors from intimidation and suppression.”
“Amnesty International Kenya calls on the state to ensure safe movement for people wishing to use routes manned by the police to access other essential services, including emergency health care and food,” said Irungu.
He added they are concerned about the increasing use of non-uniformed officers to effect arbitrary arrests of peaceful protestors contrary to the Criminal Procedure Code and Police Standing Orders.
“For transparency and accountability, police officers must be identifiable by uniform or number badges to avoid abuse of power and other violations.”
Arrests must be carried out legally and not as a tool to punish or intimidate people.
All those arrested have the right to know the charges being referred, legal representation, medical assistance, and bail or bond within 24 hours, he said.
He also called on the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), the Police, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to investigate and prosecute those citizens and elected leaders using social media to urge Kenyans to commit acts of violence, hatred, and discrimination.
More than 300 people were arrested in the latest protests.