Ruto on the spot as activists raise the red flag on police brutality

Plainclothes police officers patrol Mathare slum during Azimio la Umoja's anti-government protests on July 19, 2023. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

President William Ruto is under pressure to rein in the police, who are accused of killing tens of people in the nationwide anti-government protests, maiming and torturing more, and harassing the public, including journalists and rights activists.

This past week has witnessed widespread police brutality, with several rights bodies raising the red flag over the direction the country is taking.

The most notable condemnation has come from the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, which cautioned against the abuse of civil rights by the police.

On Friday, some 30 civil society organisations warned that the country was becoming a police state. According to civil society groups, 27 Kenyans were killed by the police between July 9 and July 19 this year during the demonstrations.

This number could increase to well over 30, considering the additional number of protesters killed in the opposition's three-day demonstrations that ended on Friday.

Throughout yesterday, Kenyans on Twitter protested the excessive use of force in Nyanza. There were reports that the police were attacking residents in their homes.

"We are witnessing a disturbing pattern of police operations that expose the country to civil strife and informal repression. Police are now collaborating with what appears to be private militia to attack and harm people in Dandora and Kibera in Nairobi, Mlolongo in Machakos, and some areas in Kisumu and Migori.

"These attacks are happening under the cover of darkness, with the hope of shielding perpetrators from accountability," the groups said.

Scores have been injured by the police, with many, including children, sustaining gunshot wounds. Many of those with gunshot injuries report being shot at by police officers, with some wearing plain clothes and others in uniform.

That is in addition to the arbitrary arrests of opposition figures, some of whom have been detained without charge for more than the constitutionally stipulated 24 hours. Yesterday, political commentator Pauline Njoroge joined the list of the hundreds arrested in the opposition crackdown.

Njoroge's arrest came hours after Raila Odinga's bodyguard, Maurice Ogeta, was released allegedly from police custody.

"Maurice Ogeta, the bodyguard of Raila Odinga, was released from police custody a few minutes to 1am and was driven while blindfolded and left in the middle of the road in Ruai towards Kangundo. His car is vandalised.

"However, he is happy to be alive but still distraught and in shock," Philip Etale, ODM communications director, posted on his social media handles.

Azimio ward representatives from Nairobi yesterday lamented that the government was unfairly targeting them over the protests. The Members of the Nairobi County Assembly issued a stinging statement that accused the government of brutalising, arresting, detaining, and killing Kenyans "for resisting government policies that have negatively impacted their lives."

"In the last 72 hours, we have witnessed the street kidnap of MCAs Wilfred Odalo (Mabatini), Redson Onyango (Ngei), Peter Imwatok (Makongeni), Peter Owera (Huruma), Alvin Palapala (Kitusuru), among others. The street abductions targeting members of Nairobi City County Assembly also netted innocent bystanders like Eric Otieno (Fiscal Analyst), Anthony Otsyula (Budget Office), and Victor Obel," the MCAs said, faulting the police for arresting their colleagues because of their political association.

"At this moment of trial, it is essential for all Kenyans to recognize that they have the right to resist any attempt to revert Kenya to a dictatorship. History has shown that unchecked power can lead to disastrous consequences, and we must remain vigilant in defending the democratic ideals that have been hard-won.

"To Mr Ruto, we reiterate that no single individual has the right to exercise unchecked power or take the law into their own hands. The Constitution exists to protect the rights of all citizens, and no one should be above its principles," the statement added.

"Dialogue, inclusivity, and respect for the rule of law are the cornerstones of a functioning democracy. We must embrace them," the ward representatives added, further alleging incidents of "ethnic cleansing" by the police.

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who is also the ODM secretary-general, slammed the police for the brutality meted out to the protesters.

"'An evil leader will burn his own nation to the ground to rule over the ashes' - Sun Tzu," he posted on his social media, along with a clip that highlights the brutality.

A day earlier, the ODM youth league had issued a 12-hour ultimatum for the government to act, promising to issue a directive to their supporters to protect themselves "by any means necessary," accusing the government of going "rogue."

The government has turned a deaf ear to the calls to put a stop to the brutality, with the president and the Interior ministry praising the police for their widely criticized actions. Reports indicate that officers have been directed not to document deaths resulting from police bullets.

A police official told the Associated Press about the directive, which is similar to instructions issued in March to regional commanders from the police headquarters during the opposition protests. During that wave of demonstrations, arrested opposition figures were released without being charged, thanks to a ceasefire by Raila and Ruto, indicating the Executive's influence on the police.

On Friday, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki alleged that firearms used during the protests were held by civilians, a claim previously used by officials in the aftermath of killings by persons suspected to be police officers.

Ruto's United Democratic Alliance yesterday praised the police for "exercising great restraint", faulting the statement issued by the UN human rights office that had highlighted their excesses.