NAIROBI, Kenya – The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is among the lobby groups that continue to put pressure on the Kenyan government to release all abductees.
LSK, alongside Medics 4 Kenya and the Police Reforms Working Group, has urged the National Police Service to avoid all use of excessive force, intimidation, and arbitrary arrests of Kenyans.
“Following President William Ruto’s declaration that his government will release all those abducted, we call on the National Police Service (NPS) to immediately release Billy Mwangi, Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, Gideon Kibet, Ronny Kiplangat, Steve Kavingo, and all others abducted and still being held since last week,” said the organisations.
Why the government must protect its citizens
In a joint statement, the organisations observed that under Articles 29 and 49 of the Constitution of Kenya, the government must guarantee all individuals’ freedom and security and present anyone arrested before a court of law within 24 hours.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Judiciary are advised to discharge all individuals detained through unlawful arrests to protect individual rights against arbitrary state action,” the lobby groups further stated.
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With several public announcements that citizens plan mass protests in solidarity with those currently being unlawfully held, the three groups jointly moved to remind the state of their obligation to protect the safety of protesters and the public as Kenyans express their views under Article 33 and Article 37.
“Our organisations have deployed monitors across several counties where solidarity matches have been announced. We are documenting any excessive use of police force and violence, attacks on journalists and health workers, and the unlawful use of non-uniformed officers and counter-protests,” the groups added.
What protesters should do while demonstrating
By Article 37, the three groups called on those exercising their constitutional rights to remain peaceful, avoid violence, and avoid destroying public or private property.
“Emergency health personnel will be outside the Hilton Hotel in Nairobi CBD. First responders will treat any protester, police officer, or public member who may be hurt. We call on police officers to facilitate and protect health workers so that they can play this neutral role.”
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They also said that lawyers had been dispatched to most locations to represent protesters subjected to arbitrary arrests who had remained nonviolent and peaceful on a case-by-case basis.
“We urge the National Police Service to avoid all use of excessive force, intimidation, and arbitrary arrest of Kenyans. We will hold specific individual police officers (in or out of uniform), their commanders, and the government accountable for human rights abuses that violate our laws.”
