NAIROBI, Kenya- Law Society of Kenya and the Police Reforms Working Group have condemned the handling of fuel protests by security agencies, accusing the state of intimidation, arbitrary arrests and excessive use of force following deadly demonstrations witnessed across the country.
In a joint statement issued Tuesday, the two bodies expressed concern over the deaths of at least four people during protests linked to soaring fuel prices and the nationwide matatu strike.
The organisations called on the National Police Service and the Executive to exercise restraint and uphold constitutional rights including peaceful assembly, association and freedom of expression.
“We call on all actors, especially the National Police Service and the Executive to maintain maximum restraint, uphold the Constitution, and protect the right to peaceful assembly,” the statement read.
The groups also urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to investigate the killings and allegations that police officers were being pressured to pursue unlawful charges against protesters and organisers.
The statement sharply criticised the arrest and subsequent hospitalisation of Central Police Station OCS Chief Inspector Dishen Angoya, who was detained after allegedly releasing 64 protesters on police bond.
According to the two organisations, granting police bond is a lawful constitutional power and criminalising the decision undermines operational independence within the police service.
“The power to grant police bond is grounded in Kenya’s legal and constitutional framework. Criminalising the exercise of this discretion undermines the rule of law,” the statement said.
The organisations further described claims of “economic sabotage” against protest organisers and transport sector leaders as exaggerated and politically motivated.
“The stay-away and withdrawal of services was called by private transport operators to protest the excessive fuel price hikes. This is in line with a free economy,” the groups said.
The statement warned that attempts to charge transport industry spokespersons with economic sabotage would amount to abuse of office and called on the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to independently apply the law.
The organisations also demanded the immediate protection of the rights of all arrested persons, including access to lawyers, medical care and due process.
“We urge the immediate safeguarding of all persons arrested including Chief Inspector Angoya’s rights,” the statement added.
The remarks come amid growing tension following violent protests and nationwide transport paralysis triggered by sharp fuel price increases announced by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
Human rights groups and opposition leaders have increasingly accused the government of using excessive force and politicising law enforcement during the demonstrations, while the government maintains that criminal elements infiltrated the protests and engaged in looting, vandalism and attacks on public property.
