Journalists and other members of the public who were caught in the mix were also attacked; a move Mbogori says was in blatant breach of the Constitution/KEVIN GITAU
NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 4- The Kenya National Human Rights Commission wants the Inspector General of Police to initiate a disciplinary action against police officers who forcibly dispersed a peaceful anti corruption protest in Uhuru Park on Thursday.
The commission is a statement complains that the Police contravened the rights of the protesters after they violently dispersed them before they even kicked off their demonstrations.
The Commission chairperson Kagwiria Mbogori says the protesters were not unruly or armed to deserve such a treatment from the Police.
“The Commission is concerned at the conduct of police officers that led to the forceful dispersal of the demonstrators and the arbitrary and brutal arrest of 10 of them,” she asserts.
“This uncalled for violence was extended to other members of the public who were innocently undertaking their daily businesses bringing the business to a standstill.
Journalists and other members of the public who were caught in the mix were also attacked; a move Mbogori says was in blatant breach of the Constitution.
“This is in clear contravention of contravention of Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya that guarantees every person the right to peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, demonstrate, to picket and present petitions to public authorities,” she pointed out.
Police turned their guns on a group of about 30 local and international journalists, who were covering the protests.
The group was violently dispersed as soon as they started marching towards Kenyatta Avenue roundabout.
Earlier on before they were dispersed, Kenya Human Rights Commission Deputy Director Davis Malombe urged the President to dismiss all corrupt Government officials among other 14 demands detailed in a petition they were to hand over to the Office of the President.
They called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to dismiss all public officers mentioned in any corrupt dealing as a starter.
“We want the President to act now…he has powers to tame these people (the corrupt),” he stated.
Other recommendations are that the President protects whistle-blowers since they are more than often attacked according to Malombe and when money is recovered, they want 20 per cent to be given to them.
Assuming the Sh5 billion in the Ministry of Health was embezzled their recommendation is that the whistle blower should get 20 per cent of the amount and in this case it will be Sh1 billion.
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