The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has strongly condemned police brutality after violent clashes erupted during student protests at Multimedia University on September 17, 2024.
One of the protesters, Trevor Mureithi, was severely injured by police officers, prompting public outcry and a formal statement from the KNCHR.
According to the Commission’s report, video footage showed armed police officers using teargas and batons against peaceful students. The report specifically highlighted Mureithi’s case, where police officers dragged him before detonating a teargas canister dangerously close to him.
KNCHR expressed deep concern over the excessive use of force, stating, “This is not just a violation of human rights but a gross display of impunity by the National Police Service.”
KNCHR Chairperson Roseline Odede urged immediate investigations into the incident and emphasized that the police must be held accountable. “The Commission calls for urgent investigations and demands that the officers responsible for these actions face the full force of the law,” she said. The KNCHR further criticized the police for failing to provide Mureithi with medical assistance after he was injured, instead worsening his condition. The Commission demanded that the National Police Service take responsibility for Mureithi’s medical care as part of reparations for their actions.
In the statement, the Commission also called for a reassessment of police training, focusing on mental wellness to ensure officers act within legal and ethical bounds. “The National Police Service must invest in the mental health of its officers to prevent such reckless policing practices,” Odede added.
KNCHR’s statement stressed the need for law enforcement officers to respect the rule of law, pointing to Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution, which guarantees citizens the right to peaceful assembly. “The police should be faithful to their mission of ‘Utumishi kwa Wote’ and serve the public with integrity,” the statement read.
