Kenya's Independent Policing Oversight Authority has released a report criticizing police actions during recent protests, attributing significant loss of life and injuries to excessive use of force.
Police Oversight Authority Censures Kenya's Response to Protests, Reports Fatalities Due to Brutality
Police Oversight Authority Censures Kenya's Response to Protests, Reports Fatalities Due to Brutality
Independent watchdog highlights alarming use of excessive force by officers amid protests, leading to numerous casualties.
Kenya's Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) has issued a damning report critiquing the police for their reaction to a wave of protests that erupted over the past several weeks, during which at least 65 people were killed. The report, made public on Thursday, indicates that the majority of these fatalities resulted from police actions categorized as "disproportionate force." Additionally, the report highlights the infiltration of the protests by individuals termed "goons," whose actions compromised the peaceful intent of the demonstrations.
The protests began on June 12 in Nairobi following the controversial death of a young teacher and blogger named Albert Ojwang in police custody, which authorities initially attributed to self-inflicted injuries. This incident led to the arrest and charging of three officers in connection with his death. Following this incident, subsequent protests led to further tragedies, including the fatal shooting of street vendor Boniface Kariuki on June 17 by police during a demonstration.
The protests on June 23, marking the first anniversary of previous deadly demonstrations over tax issues, turned violent, resulting in 23 deaths across several regions. The most devastating day was July 7, with 41 fatalities recorded. The Ipoa also reports that 342 civilians and 171 police officers sustained injuries during these confrontations. Incidents of looting and vandalism against businesses and government properties were also noted.
In response to the Ipoa's findings, a police representative declined to comment and directed inquiries to a statement from the Interior Ministry, which attributed the violence to "criminals" and "anarchists." Following the protests, President William Ruto controversially instructed police to shoot protestors in the legs to incapacitate, but not kill them, should they be involved in property destruction. Meanwhile, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen has refuted claims of excessive force, labeling the protests as an attempt at terrorism disguised as dissent.
Human rights organizations have condemned the government's use of violence against demonstrators, expressing concerns over the use of lethal force.
