Nairobi, Thursday, 25th July 2024: Amnesty International Kenya welcomes the ruling by High Court Judge Kanyi Kimondo that 11 Police Commanders and Officers have a case to answer in the case of Baby Samantha Pendo. The officers are being charged with 47 crimes against humanity, including murder, torture, and rape.
Nairobi, 13th July 2024. The Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K) and Civic Freedoms Forums (CFF) are deeply shocked and saddened by the recent discovery of at least six dismembered bodies at the Kware dumpsite near Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums in Nairobi. These dismembered bodies were found wrapped in sacks and polythene bags of assorted colours, which were tied with majorly with ligatures, and retrieved from a garbage-filled quarry pit opposite Kware police station with a similar pattern of packaging according to yesterday’s statement on the X platform of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. This horrific incident is a mass fatality issue; it represents a grave violation of human rights and raises serious concerns about the rule of law and security in our country.
In a public statement issued today, Amnesty International is raising concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the establishment of human rights safeguards for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti, that is expected to be deployed in the coming months.
Public reaction to the sentencing of Baby Sagini’s cousin, grandmother, and aunt this week seems muffled in contrast to the widespread horror expressed seven months ago. Seeking justice is often a long process. Distracted by our own daily challenges, we often miss the all-important end to a chapter of injustice that once deeply disturbed us.
The right to assemble, protest and demonstrate has been in focus once again this year.
Recently, the Court of Appeal declared mandatory life imprisonment unconstitutional.
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Four young men, between the ages of 15 and 26, were rounded up on May 23, 2023 by a chief and an assistant chief as well as members of the Nyumba Kumi (community policing) group in Antubociu, Ndula Village, Meru County, and beaten severely to make them confess to stealing a goat belonging to one of the chiefs.
On Wednesday, Amnesty International Kenya and Human Rights Watch released joint findings on the human rights violations surrounding the March 20, 27 and 30 Azimio La Umoja protests. They revealed that 12 people, including two babies, died due to police action, especially unlawful use of force in Nairobi, Kisumu, Homa Bay and Migori. Thirty others were seriously injured.
Incoming Inspector General Japeth Koome whipped up his first dust storm. His and other public comments may indicate possible direction policing could take next year.
The fourth Police Inspector General of Kenya was sworn in yesterday. As Japhet Koome assumes office, what might he find in his in-tray and which opportunities could he seize to deepen human rights-based, professional policing and access to justice for all?
Kenya’s rebirth in 2010 was a reincarnation of the one we inherited in 1963, which was, in turn, a reincarnation of the one set up by the British in 1895 when they occupied Kenya and 1920 when the Kenya colony was founded.