“Who else would feel safe in Kenya if ‘police’ can behave like criminal gangs attacking innocent students and staff within the confines of the university.”/CFM NEWS
NAIROBI, Kenya, Sep 30 – The Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU), University of Nairobi Chapter has condemned the brutal attack on innocent students and staff on Thursday by the police.
The protests followed the arrest of former student leader Babu Owino who is now the Embakasi East MP.
George Omondi, UASU Chapter Secretary termed the incident as unfortunate and has not been seen in the university for a long time and condemned the use of brutal force by the police.
“It is disheartening to note that two days after the said criminal acts by the so-called policemen, no action has been taken on the guilty parties,” Omondi regretted.
He called on police to strictly adhere to their constitutional mandate to protect life and property saying they have no legal entitlement to use excessive force and or cause bodily injuries to Kenyans, particularly innocent students in class, student hostels and staff in their offices.
“Students and staff in the university, like other Kenyans, have a constitutional right to picket and peaceful protest. Article 29 specifically provides that every person has a right to freedom and security of the person which includes the right not to be subjected to torture in any manner.”
He lamented at a scenario he called as “the police behaving like a criminal gang” and wondered who would feel safe in Kenya.
“Who else would feel safe in Kenya if ‘police’ can behave like criminal gangs attacking innocent students and staff within the confines of the university. This is a big shame to Kenyans. Action must be taken. We shall not rest until the perpetrators of this heinous crime are identified and punished,” he vowed.
Since the attack occurred on Thursday, there has been an outpouring of public anger and uproar from social media users who have condemned the action of the police especially when gruesome images and disturbing videos of the alleged attack found their way into social media.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHCR) launched investigations into Thursday’s incident, where police brutally attacked students and staff at the UON, leading to injuries and destruction of property.
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