CJ Koome sends appeal to Kenyans and police after Saba Saba protests
Chief Justice Martha Koome has appealed to Kenyans to remain peaceful while exercising their right to protest.
Chief Justice Martha Koome has appealed to Kenyans to remain peaceful while exercising their right to protest.
In a statement on Tuesday, July 8, the Chief Justice said members of the public should not engage in looting and destruction of property during demonstrations.
“Members of the public must exercise their right to protest peacefully, without carrying arms, and without engaging in acts of destruction, looting, or vandalism of public infrastructure such as government buildings and court infrastructure, or private businesses,” said Koome.
The CJ also called on police officers to exercise restraint and adhere to human rights standards while dealing with protestors.
Koome said the police should distinguish between peaceful protestors and criminal elements who infiltrate demos to cause chaos.
“On the other hand, the police must respond with restraint, proportionality, and strict adherence to human rights standards, avoiding actions that could cause unnecessary harm or loss of life.
“It is also incumbent upon the police to distinguish between peaceful demonstrators and criminal elements, those who infiltrate protests to incite violence and loot, and to apprehend and process such individuals through the justice system,” Koome added.
The CJ’s statement comes after 11 people were killed and over 50 others injured during the Monday Saba Saba protests.
The National Police Service (NPS) in a statement said 567 individuals were arrested and significant property was damaged.
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According to the police, 12 police vehicles, 3 government vehicles, and 4 civilian vehicles were damaged during the skirmishes.
“The NPS commends the majority of Kenyans for being law-abiding and heeding the call to maintain law and order. However, certain individuals remained determined to engage in acts of lawlessness that involved multiple criminal acts, including attacks on law enforcement officers and looting,” NPS stated.
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), on the other hand, condemned what it described as the unlawful conduct of law enforcement officers.
The commission accused police of violating a court order requiring officers managing protests to be in uniform and clearly identifiable.
“The KNCHR has noted that the police have continued to flagrantly disregard a High Court order mandating that all officers managing demonstrations be in official uniform and remain identifiable at all times.
“The Commission observed numerous hooded officers, not in uniform, traveling in unmarked vehicles while patrolling Nairobi, Kajiado, and Nakuru counties,” KNCHR stated.
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