NAIROBI, Kenya- At least 50 people were on Monday arrested while participating in the protests against the ongoing cases of abductions in Kenya.
Among the arrested were 7 women and Senator Okiya Omtatah, who is being held at Gigiri Police Station.
All the arrested protestors were unarmed, a joint statement by human rights organizations together with the Law Society of Kenya and Kenya Medical Association said.
Police used teargas to disperse peaceful protestors even instances where they were seated while chanting or waving placards.
Human Rights organizations under the Police Reforms Working Groups say several protestors sustained injuries including 17 in Nairobi and one in Mombasa.
In some instances, some protestors suffered tear gas inhalation and had to be resuscitated.
“At least four protestors were reportedly assaulted and tortured with batons and rifle butts in Nairobi Central Police Station cell,” reads the statement.
Further, the right groups said some police officers still concealed their identity while policing protests in defiance of a previous court order issued by Malindi High Court.
In some instances, police were hooded while their vehicles had number plates sealed with tape or lacked rear number plates in areas like Kitengela.
“The use of horses to intimidate protestors was observed in Nairobi,” reads the statement.
The protests were triggered by the recent wave of abductions across the country targeting young people using their social media platforms to criticize the government.
Among those arrested include cartoonist Kibet Bull alias Yoko.
“We condemn the instances of disproportionate and unnecessary use of violence against peaceful and unarmed protestors,” the organizations asserted.
