We join the Police Reforms Working Group in strongly condemning the deliberate infiltration of peaceful protests by hundreds violent agitators who attacked protesters and caused mayhem in the County of Nairobi. The violence has resulted in the shooting of at least one unarmed bystander. Twenty-five people had also been hospitalised, five with gunshot wounds by 9pm last night. Apart from serious injuries to individuals, there was uncalculated damage to private businesses and public property across the capital.
Under the Constitution of Kenya and international human rights law, the use of force is a serious responsibility entrusted solely to the National Police Service. This authority must be strictly exercised to protect the rights, safety, and dignity of all individuals. It can only be used in accordance with the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and accountability. This responsibility to protect was completely abdicated yesterday.