Police officers during protests in Nairobi on Tuesday. KNCHR has confirmed that 22 people were injured during the protests. Photo: AFP.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has reported that 22 people sustained injuries from Tuesday 17 protests, over resignation of DIG Eliud Lagat following the death of X blogger Albert Ojwang’ at Central Police Station in Nairobi.
In s statement, the Commission Vice Chairperson Dr. Raymond Nyeris confirmed that the reported cases were victims of gunshots wound, head cuts and whip lashes, as well as the shooting of the mask vendor at close point-blank range by a police officer during the protests in Nairobi CBD.
“The Commission has been monitoring today’s protests held in Nairobi, Kilifi and Mombasa. The Commission has recorded 22 causalities including the shooting by police, of a peaceful civilian who was shot at close range in Nairobi CBD and is currently at KNH in a critical condition in Nairobi. The other injuries range from gunshot wounds, head cuts whip lashes, blunt trauma and asthma attacks from inhaling teargas,” Nyeris stated.
KNCHR condemned the infiltration of goons in Nairobi to disrupt peaceful protest in Nairobi, allegedly hired by Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja, as well as chaos witnessed in Kilifi and Mombasa, which saw activist Francis Auma of the MUHURI rights group, Walid Sketty of Haki Afrika, Batuli Swaleh, and Mugambi Gichunge.
“The commission condemns the arrest of protestors including four human rights defenders in Mombasa, despite being peaceful and having duly notified the police in line with the law. The commission calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the protestors. The KNCHR commends the majority of the protestors for being peaceful despite attacks and provocation by the police and hired goons,” further read the statement.
Additionally, KNCHR called out police officers whose vehicles registration numbers were concealed, and covered their faces with masks, were violating a court ruling that directed all officers assigned during protests should be in uniform and remain identifiable.
“When those charged with maintaining law and order break the law with such impunity, they encourage citizens to disobey the law,” read part of the statement.
The protests witnessed followed the brutal murder of X blogger Albert Ojwang’, Nakuru’s youth Dennis Mureithi, and other police brutalities witnessed in the country.
Director General Ministry of Health Dr. Patrick Amoth confirmed on Tuesday evening that the mask vendor was shot on the head, and was undergoing an emergency neurosurgery at the Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi.
