Calls for justice as slain human rights lawyer is laid to rest

Lawyer Willie Kimani Burial in Kikuyu on 9th July 2016 [PHOTO:DAVID GICHURU/Standard]

In life, they shared everything from prayers, meals and tears of joy, but yesterday, family members, lawyers and friends from lawyer Willie Kimani’s village and across the country gathered to bid him farewell.

Although he came from a modest family background devoid of the fine things in life, relatives recounted how they always had a thing to smile about.

However, that was not the case yesterday as the family, friends and locals laid Kimani to rest. He was killed and dumped at Oldonyo Sabuk River in Kilimabogo, alongside his client Josephat Mwenda and taxi driver Joseph Muiruri.

The badly mutilated corpses of the three were found dumped in the river last week after missing for a few days.

Tears and grief reigned in Mai-a Ihii village, Gikambura, Kiambu County, as the mourners sang dirges to bid goodbye to the fallen lawyer, who was eulogised by many as a gallant defender of justice for the poor, the vulnerable and down-trodden.

His family, friends, colleagues, human rights activists and politicians present at the funeral called for the prosecution of his murderers.

The young widow, Hannah Wanjiku, stared at the unfolding events, transfixed, tongue-tied and seemingly unable to comprehend the tragedy that had just struck her family.

Her only hope, she said, was her ardent prayer that justice will be served for her husband and his two colleagues.

The human rights lawyer has left behind two children aged four years and nine months. The young ones played not knowing that it was their father’s funeral ceremony that was underway.

Lawyers and human rights defenders said Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery, Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, as well as the Deputy IG in charge of Administration Police, Samuel Arachi, should be forced out of office.

Clare Wilkinson, the country director of International Justice Mission(IJM) where Kimani worked, described him as a brother, a true friend and a dedicated colleague in the fight against injustice.

She termed his untimely death a big blow to the organisation, since he was an astute strategist who always authored detailed and persuasive reports.

“We have lost a courageous and dedicated colleague who had a passion for fighting for the justice of the poor and powerless, focusing on human right abuses by the police,” said Ms Wilkinson.

Nathan Mbugua, Kimani’s former classmate at the University of Nairobi law school, said his passion for championing against human rights abuses began in 2009 when renowned human rights lawyer Oscar King’ara was murdered.

“He wondered why such a person championing for such a noble course could be killed in such inhumane way. From that day, he vowed to be in the forefront against extrajudicial killings and police brutality. It’s regrettable he met his death just as Kinga’ra, his mentor, did,” he said.

President of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Isaac Okero said the culture of intolerable human rights abuses by Kenya’s police officers must be stopped at all costs.

“We demand that those in charge of the country’s security take personal responsibility for the killings. This culture of torture and extrajudicial executions must stop,” said Mr Okero.

He said the LSK was ready to partner with the government to eradicate human rights abuses and extrajudicial executions.

The LSK boss said the death of their learned friend had only strengthened their resolve to fight for those seeking justice against police brutality and human rights abuses.

“Let no one be deceived that we will not continue with the work that Willie started. We will do so fearlessly until we ensure that justice is served,” he said.

Kenya National Human Rights Commission Vice Chairman George Morara said the death of the three should be a turning point towards the eradication of extrajudicial killings.

He said the commission was alarmed with the high number of human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings touching on police officers. Morara urged President Uhuru Kenyatta to ensure that rampant human rights abuse and extrajudicial executions are stopped.

“It is the high time we said enough is enough. Extrajudicial executions must become a thing of the past in this country. The President should lead the nation in tearing the walls of such killings. It can no longer be business as usual,” he said.

Politicians present included Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi, MPs Kimani Ichungw’a (Kikuyu), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete), Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Paul Koinange (Kiambaa), Kiragu Chege (Limuru) and Kiambu Woman Representative Annah Nyokabi.