NAIROBI, Kenya- The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has strongly condemned the use of teargas by police officers against worshippers during a church service in Othaya, describing the incident as a grave violation of the Constitution and a disturbing example of police brutality.
In a statement issued by its president, Faith Odhiambo, the LSK said it was “deeply concerned” by images showing police officers lobbing teargas at congregants, including children, who were peacefully taking part in a religious service.
“The indiscriminate use of violent force against church-going citizens offends every constitutional principle under which the National Police Service is bound to operate,” Odhiambo said.
The lawyers’ body said the incident amounted to an onslaught on multiple fundamental rights protected under the Constitution, including freedom of religion, freedom of association, human dignity, the right to security of the person, and the special protection afforded to children.
“This attack on worshippers is detestable,” the statement said, adding that there was no discernible threat posed by the congregants that could justify such force.
The @LawSocietyofKe is deeply concerned by images of Police officers lobbing teargas at congregants taking part in a church service in Othaya. The indiscriminate use of violent force against church-going citizens, including children, offends every constitutional principle under
The LSK said the incident betrayed Kenyans’ collective demand for an end to police indiscipline and excessive use of force, warning that such actions risk undermining national cohesion at a time when the country is approaching another high-stakes electioneering period.
“There is no ascertainable threat to peace, law or order that would warrant such a brazen attack on the sovereign people — and by extension, the supreme law of our land,” Odhiambo said.
The lawyers’ body has demanded that the National Police Service issue an immediate and clear explanation of the circumstances that led to the incident, as well as a comprehensive report outlining disciplinary or criminal action against those responsible.
“It is high time firm action is taken against the weaponisation of state machinery against the people,” the LSK said.
Odhiambo said the society would coordinate with advocates on the ground to assess the full extent of rights violations arising from the incident and to determine whether affected members of the public require legal assistance.
