Retrain police on human rights and gun use, says Savula

Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula addresses the media after attending service at Grace Revival Ministries of Kakamega on July 21, 2024. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard] 

Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has called for reforms in the recruitment and training of National Police Service (NPS) officers.

Savula said the reforms should also cover the police’s use of firearms and respect for human rights, amid a growing number of cases involving police brutality and extrajudicial killings.

Speaking in Lugari Constituency, the Deputy Governor urged Parliament to initiate reforms to streamline and align the NPS with constitutional requirements on fundamental human rights.

“When the police kill the same people they should be protecting, then we need to have reforms on the use of firearms in the hands of police officers,” said Savula.

He said the service had lost public trust.

“How do you explain a situation where police just shoot a mask vendor in the head?” he said.

Savula stressed that officers must be trained on how to handle demonstrators in a lawful and humane manner.

He added that people who infiltrate peaceful protests to cause chaos, loot, and destroy property should be identified and dealt with according to the law.

Last week, Bonface Kariuki, a mask vendor, was shot by police during protests demanding justice for the killing of teacher-turned-blogger Albert Ojwang at the Nairobi Central Police Station.

The incident led to the arrest of police officers Masinde Baraza and Duncan Kiprono, who were captured on video assaulting Kariuki. The two have since been arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts.