Kenya fires back at UN over statement on police brutality during protests
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Kenya, UN Rights Office trade barbs over brutal force used by the police during Azimio nationwide protests
Kenya, UN Rights Office trade barbs over brutal force used by the police during Azimio nationwide protests.
Kenya has responded to a statement by the UN Human Rights Office criticizing the police’s use of excessive force to disperse opposition demonstrations and calling for the same enthusiasm in denouncing lawlessness.
Korir Sing’Oei, the principal secretary for foreign affairs, made the remark on Friday in a tweet in response to Jeremy Laurence, the spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office.
“While regretting and decrying the unfortunate loss of life or injury, the reckless mobilization of lawless gangs to loot, destroy property, disrupt business, deprive many of means of livelihood and create an environment of disorder, must receive equal condemnation,” Sing’Oei said.
In comments shared on Friday, Laurence had expressed concern over what he characterized as widespread violence in Kenya after a protest called by opposition leader Raila Odinga on Wednesday turned chaotic.
“We call on the authorities to ensure the right to peaceful assembly as guaranteed in the Kenyan constitution and international human rights law,” he said.
Laurence called on the police to use proportionate force to ensure riots are quelled within legal confines.
“The policing of protest must seek to facilitate peaceful assemblies and any use of force must be guided by the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and non-discrimination,” he cautioned.
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The UN Human Rights Office further called for prompt, thorough, independent, and transparent investigations into the deaths and injuries sustained by protesters.
“Those responsible must be held to account. Effective measures to prevent further deaths and injuries must be adopted,” Laurence said.
The statement by the UN Human Rights Office came against the backdrop of similar condemnations on the use of brutal force on protesters by the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya).
In a statement issued Friday, ICJ Kenya urged the National Police Service to prioritize de-escalation techniques and non-violent approaches during protests.
“Individuals have the right to peacefully assemble and express their opinions without facing lethal force,” ICJ Kenya asserted.
The Commission called for an impartial investigation into nine deaths blamed on law enforcement units even as it condemned incidents of vandalism.
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