Kenya: Authorities slammed by rights groups for 12 deaths during protests, calls for investigation

By Abia Noumbissi

Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International have urged Kenyan authorities to investigate accusations of police brutality after they found that 12 people were killed by law enforcement officers during anti-government protests in Nairobi, Kisumu, Migori, and Homa Bay in March.

The protests were led by the opposition leader, Raila Odinga, and had the goal of calling attention to the cost-of-living crisis and last year’s disputed presidential election.

According to government records, only three people died during the three days of demonstrations. However, the two human rights organizations found evidence that the number was closer to at least 12.

“While some of the victims were involved in the protest, most of the 12… were bystanders, passersby, or people in their homes and business premises,” the organisations said in a joint statement. Following interviews with family members and witnesses, the rights groups confirmed that more people had been killed than was reported by the government.

The police are also accused of firing bullets and tear gas into residential homes and inside classrooms.  Two children, including a four-month-old baby, also died from health complications from the tear gas in Kibera, a neighborhood in Nairobi.

In another case, shop owner, Elijah Okumu, was shot and killed by police as he was closing his store in Dandora, Nairobi.

Both HRW and Amnesty International as well as other human rights groups have accused Kenyan police of excessive force. In October four police officers were charged over the disappearance of three men who have still not been found. The officers were a part of the now shutdown Special Service Unit (SSU) which was notorious for many of its officers being linked to unauthorized killings and civilian intimidation through torture and abductions.

Even though the SSU is no longer active, the government has still been condemned for not working quickly enough to investigate police officers.

“The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) should urgently conclude their investigations into all deaths and the apparent unjustified use of force by the police, and all relevant authorities including the national police service…”

The IPOA was established by the Kenyan parliament in 2011 to provide “civilian scrutiny”, however, it is thought to be among one of the most corrupt institutions in the country. 

According to the International Justice Mission, since 2011, it has received over 20,900 complaints related to police misconduct, yet only 3,437 investigations have been completed and 17 convictions made.