Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga teargassed inside police station
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Police teargas human rights group activists among them Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga after demanding the release of Saba Saba protestors
Police teargas human rights group activists among them Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga after demanding the release of Saba Saba protestors.
Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga was on Saturday, July 8, teargassed at the Central Police Station as he pushed for the release of activists arrested during the Saba Saba demonstrations.
Boniface Mwangi and other activists were with Mutunga. The incident that raised a disturbance at the police station resulted in one person being hurt.
The OCS Central Police Station, Moses Mutayi, was accused of violating their right to picket and demonstrate by activist Mwangi, who denounced the move.
“Police have decided to teargas their workplace and beat some of us. President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua continue to undermine the Constitution,” Mwangi lamented.
The activists were demanding the immediate release of persons arrested during Friday’s Saba Saba rally spearheaded by opposition Chief Raila Odinga.
Mwangi had earlier criticized the current regime, stating that it frustrated the former CJ and veteran lawyer, John Khaminwa’s effort to release the detained protesters on bail.
Other activists who accompanied the trio to Central Police Station were Kenya National Commission on Human Rights commissioner Victor Kamau and city lawyer Lempaa Soyinka.
“These three lawyers camped here to demand the unconditional release of 32 peaceful citizens who were arrested yesterday in the CBD for taking part in the Saba Saba protests,” Mwangi added.
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Mwangi also urged opposition leaders, Raila Odinga and Martha Karua to intervene and secure the release of the protesters.
On Friday, July 7, the retired Chief Justice bought foodstuff and water for the arrested activists.
Dr. Mutunga opined that the police erred in arresting the protestors citing Article 37 of the 2010 Constitution of Kenya which details the right to picket and assemble.
According to human rights organizations, over 17 protesters were arrested with scores injured. The organizations demanded the unconditional release of the activists.
“Article 21 of the Constitution binds the police to fulfill, promote and protect human rights, including the right to peaceful assembly. The 2nd Schedule of the National Police Service Act mandates that police use force only as a last resort and in an accountable manner. It is only appropriate to use force in specific circumstances, such as to protect life,” Amnesty International stated.
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