Report faults police human rights record

Report faults Kenya's security forces human rights record. (Photo: Courtesy)

Kenya's security forces had killed at least 122 people in extra-judicial executions by October 2016.

According to a report by Amnesty International, security forces were behind numerous enforced disappearances, executions and torture in the name of counter-terror operations.

The report also accuses police of using excessive and lethal force to disperse demonstrators calling for fair election practices.

Titled 'Amnesty International Report 2016/17 - The state of world human rights,' the report also accuses state security organs of harassing political opposition, anti-corruption groups, civil society, journalists and bloggers.

It also blames them for forceful evictions.

"Families in informal settlements and marginalised communities were forcibly evicted from their homes," it says.

The report says corruption is rife in Government and cites the ministries of Health, and Devolution and Planning, which are under investigation for alleged misappropriation of funds.

In counter-terrorism operations targeting Al Shabaab, the report implicates security agencies in human rights violations and points out that these have not been investigated.

"Despite an increase in reported cases, meaningful investigations were not carried out to ensure accountability."

The report says police used excessive and lethal force to disperse protesters in Nairobi and other towns during demonstrations against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission last year.

It also faults a plan to close the Dadaab refugee camp.