At least 300 people were illegally detained during the June 25 anti-Finance Bill protests, 13 disappearances documented, 27 others are still missing, lobby groups have revealed.
Documented between 8 July and 9 August, the evidence confirms Kenyan police unlawfully used lethal and less lethal weapons, including tear gas, water cannons and batons.
According to the groups, Kenyan police fired tear gas at protesters, bystanders and medics, arbitrarily arrested and beat peaceful protesters, and fired live ammunition at crowds.
Months after the protests, civil rights groups are still calling for accountability for the abductions, deaths and injuries resulting from the protests despite promises from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to get to the bottom of it.
IPOA on July 31, had revealed that it was investigating the cases, and that in collaboration with civil societies, it would ensure justice was served. However, the authority had also shared that it was facing various challenges in relation to the investigations.
“12,000 people have signed an Amnesty International petition calling for a Judicial Commission of Enquiry and accountability for the deaths and injuries arising from the use of unlawful police force against protesters in Kenya,” Amnesty International Kenya revealed in a statement.
The group explained that several video footages showed police firing tear gas at groups of protesters, medical personnel in Nairobi, adding that their investigation confirmed that police repeatedly shot tear gas grenades or canisters directly at protesters, and medical personnel despite them wearing identifiable clothing, sometimes at head-level, or straight up in the air, risking severely injuring people when they landed.
“Tear gas should never be used against peaceful protesters, and isolated acts of violence do not justify the use of tear gas, since it has a wide area effect. Under no circumstances should it be fired directly at individuals. It should only be used in situations where there is generalized violence, and after clear warnings are given, which evidence confirms, police failed to issue,” says Faith Odhiambo, President of the Law Society of Kenya.
According to the group, other video footage also showed protesters advancing towards the parliament building and what sounded like gunshots, with another video showing at least three bodies lying on the sidewalk opposite parliament.
Three protesters are also seen tending to the bodies, while three others try to carry an injured person towards the ambulances parked next to the police.
