Nairobi, 5 November 2024: Amnesty International Kenya, Utu Wetu Trust and the International Justice Mission express disappointment with today’s representation by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution in the case of baby Samantha Pendo and 60 others whose rights were grossly violated by 12 senior police officers in 2017. Prosecutor Vincent Monda’s application once again, to defer plea-taking due to the absence of a suspect, further delays justice. We welcome the court’s assurance that plea-taking will take place alongside the appearance of Police Inspector General to explain why 12th accused officer Mohamed Baa has not been arrested, on 15 January 2025. 

We express disappointment once again with today’s representation by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution in the case of baby Samantha Pendo + 60 persons whose rights were grossly violated by 12 senior police officers in 2017. Prosecutor Vincent Monda’s application once again, to defer plea-taking due to the absence of a suspect, further delays justice. We welcome court’s assurance that plea-taking will take place alongside the appearance of Police Inspector General to explain why 12th accused officer Mohamed Baa has not been arrested, on 15 January 2025.

“Orders from above” have just replaced “Forwarded as received” as the three most dangerous words in the English language. Recent events have left me reflecting on the growing danger for state officers in important constitutional offices and our democracy.  

Nairobi, 3 October 2024: The deferring of plea-taking against 12 Police Commanders and Officers accused of killing Baby Pendo and perpetrating several human rights violations against several Kisumu citizens under application by the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions today is a major disappointment to several survivors and victim’s families.

Today, marks three months since the June 25 protest. 12,00O people have signed an Amnesty International petition calling for a Judicial Commission of Enquiry and accountability for the deaths and injuries arising from the use of unlawful police force against protesters in Kenya.

A day before President Ruto launched new terms and conditions for the police, prisons and national youth service on Wednesday this week, Police officers chose to riot and rampage uninvited through the Multi-Media University of Kenya. If the last three months were not enough of a poisoned cup for Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja, who assumed office on Thursday, his new appointment could just tarnish four decades of his career if he is not careful.

The Police Reforms Working Group and the Law of Society of Kenya’s attention has been drawn to an incident where a student at Multimedia University was beaten with wooden batons by police on 17 September 2024. Police proceeded to lob a tear gas canister directly at the visibly injured student at close range.

Several readers of last week’s column invited this column to explore how emerging youth leaders could retain their political influence and deepen their recent governance and human rights impact as we turn to the next General Elections.

Nairobi, 8 August 2024: The Law Society of Kenya and Police Reforms Working Group’s attention has been drawn to media reports showing people masked and armed with large wooden batons on 6 August 2024 in Kapsabet town and elsewhere threatening to violently disrupt any form of gathering. The reports and videos seen by the Working Group indicate that the armed group intend to prevent planned protests against poor service by the Nandi County Government.

Ten years after the passing of the 2010 constitution, one in two Kenyans still believed that there was no equality under the law. The Director of Public Prosecutions’ statement this week that there is not enough evidence to charge a single police officer after several public violent incidents further damaged the reputation of the authorities charged with investigating and overseeing police excesses. Can we expect any difference from the new police leadership nominated this week?

In a crisis, a nation can easily twist sharply or even meander towards constitutionalism, authoritarianism or anarchy. While the dissolution of President Ruto’s cabinet plunged the Kenyan state into further uncertainty, the mood of the population remains surprisingly calm and, in several quarters, triumphant.

Tomorrow is Saba Saba day. That historical moment was pivotal, led by the anti-colonial generation and Generation X. What is the significance of the current Gen Z movement, and what opportunity does it offer our collective future?