Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei has condemned the police for disrupting the ongoing peaceful anti-femicide protests in Nairobi.

Taking to his official X account on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, Cherargei said that the tear gassing of peaceful and unharmed protesters by the police is an unnecessary provocation and a mockery of the protection of human rights.

In addition, the vocal senator noted that being a Human Rights Day, adding that the government must ensure that everyone in the country is obliged to the fundamental human rights.

“On this #HumanRightsDay we have an obligation that all human rights are guaranteed by state and non-state actors. The tear-gassing by police of peaceful and unharmed protesters in Nairobi CBD is an unnecessary provocation and a mockery of the protection of human rights in the country,” he condemned.

Anti-femicide protests

According to Amnesty Kenya, human rights defenders Irungu Houghton and two others have been unlawfully arrested by the police during anti-femicide protests in Nairobi.

 “On this International Human Rights Day, a day dedicated to celebrating and upholding the dignity, freedom, and rights of all people, we witnessed a grave violation of these very principles. Peaceful protestors in Nairobi, predominantly women and allies marching against the epidemic of femicide, were teargassed, violently dispersed, and unlawfully arrested by police. Among those detained are human rights defenders Irungu Houghton and two others, who were unjustly arrested despite their peaceful participation,” Amnesty International stated. 

In addition, the human rights organisation condemned the use of excessive force on the protestors, adding that the tear gassing and unwarranted arrests not only violate human rights but also the constitution. 

“The violent response by police, including the arrest of these peaceful protestors, is a direct attack on Kenya’s democratic principles and the human rights of its citizens. The excessive force and unwarranted arrests not only violate national and international human rights laws but also send a chilling message to all those advocating for justice and accountability. These actions undermine the rule of law and reinforce the impunity that perpetuates violence against women, “Amnesty International added.