KNCHR report: 25 killed, 81 missing in anti-terror operation

Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Vice Chair George Morara said investigations revealed various methods of torturing terror suspects in efforts to make them confess. (Photo: Beverlyne Musili/Standard)

A Kenya National Commission on Human Rights report has revealed shocking details of torture, extrajudicial killing and disappearances of suspects during anti-terror operation that was launched two years ago.

According to the report released Tuesday, 25 extrajudicial killings and 81 disappearances have been documented following the survey carried out in in Nairobi, Coast and Northern Kenya.

The report narrates various accounts of individuals who experienced torture while in police custody and during police operations.

Some officers conducting the operations arrive in targeted areas, hire cars and conduct covert missions without the knowledge and authority of the local police, including county commanders, the report says.

Some victims said they were handcuffed, their faces were covered and then beaten for more than eight hours.

These human rights violations were allegedly conducted by Kenya Defense Forces (KDF), National Intelligence Service (NIS), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) National Police Service including Anti-Terrorism Police Unit(ATPU), Kenya Police Reservists(KPRs), Rapid Deployment Unit(RDU) of Administration Police, County Commissioners, Deputy County Commissioner and Chiefs.

Speaking during a press conference in Nairobi, KNCHR Vice Chairman George Morara said investigations revealed various methods of torturing suspects in efforts to make them confess.

"Victims narrated to have had various torture methods including beating, waterboarding, electric shocks, genital mutilation, exposure to extreme cold or heat, hanging on trees, mock executions, and exposure to stinging by ants in the wild, denial of sleep and food," he said.

Morara said Kenya risks international sanctions if the number of people who disappeared is not accounted for since they are a signatory to the UN Convention against torture.

"The government is mandated to protect and find out what happens to people who disappear within Kenyan territory. If the number of people allegedly disappears within police custody increases that can account to crimes against humanity," he said.

Profiling

The report says the government, in the operations, has continuously targeted certain groups especially those from the Somali community and members of Muslim faith.

"Profiling of people along ethnic or religious lines constitutes discrimination and is therefore unconstitutional and against international norms," Morara said.

The report has also found out a possibility of torture chambers in various military bases.

"During our investigations we were not allowed to go inside the military bases where we were told various people were being held especially those controlled by KDF," he said.

The commission said it underwent various challenges including victim intimidation, threats to commissioners and denial to information.

KNCHR now wants the government to take action against officers found to have been involved.

"The Director of Public Prosecutions should direct the inspector general of police to ensure prompt and comprehensive investigations are conducted into the ongoing abuses," reads the report.

The commission also recommends the President to acknowledge and condemn the abuses by the security agencies and call upon them to ensure respect for the rule of law and human rights in the fight against terrorism.