MOMBASA, Kenya – Police have condemned in the strongest terms the attack on members of civil society who went to the Mombasa County Assembly to present a petition, as authorities launched a multi-agency investigation into the incident.
In a press release, Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno said the attack on innocent and unarmed civilians by hired goons is unacceptable and a threat to democracy.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the attack on members of civil society who went to the Mombasa County Assembly, a protected area, to present a petition. Two wrongs do not make a right. The failure to notify authorities does not justify violence. The attack on innocent and unarmed civilians by hired goons is unacceptable and a threat to our democracy,” Nuno stated.
Multi-agency investigation launched
The Regional Police Commander said a multi-agency team comprising officers from the Kenya Police Service, Directorate of Criminal Investigations and Administration Police Service from Mombasa Urban has been constituted to expeditiously investigate, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the attack along with their financiers and mobilisers.
“We have constituted a multi-agency team comprising of officers drawn from KPS, DCI and APS from Mombasa Urban to expeditiously investigate, arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of this attack along with their financiers and mobilisers,” Nuno said.
Police to escort petitioners
Nuno further directed the Mombasa County Police Command to escort the members of civil society, the youth and the media to make and present their petition in consultation with the leadership of the County Assembly of Mombasa on a date and time of their choice.
“We have also directed the Mombasa County Police Command to escort the members of civil society, the youth and the Fourth Estate to make and present their petition in consultation with the leadership of the County Assembly of Mombasa on a date and time of their choice,” he stated.
Call to uphold constitutional rights
The Regional Police Commander urged the leadership of the County Assembly to uphold the Constitution and guarantee the right to peaceful petition as provided for in Article 37 of the Constitution.
“We urge the leadership of the County Assembly to uphold the Constitution and guarantee the right to peaceful petition as provided for in Article 37 of the Constitution,” Nuno said.
Obligation to notify authorities
However, Nuno also appealed to members of civil society that their right to picket and present a petition does not exist on its own, stating that in future they must fulfil their obligation towards the attainment of this fundamental right and freedom.
This includes organisers notifying the authorities in good time, and participants being peaceful, unarmed and avoiding provocations.
