Over the past two weeks, Kenya has witnessed a series of anti-Finance Bill protests that have tragically exposed a deep-seated issue within the country’s law enforcement.
Instead of protecting the constitutional rights of its citizens, the police force has responded with excessive and often lethal force against peaceful and unarmed protesters. While the finance bill might have been recalled, the protests have served to reveal a rot in the system that demands urgent attention and action.
The Finance Bill 2024, which proposed significant tax hikes, sparked widespread outrage among Kenyans, who took to the streets to express their dissatisfaction. These protests were characterized by their peaceful nature, with citizens exercising their right to assembly and free speech armed with bottles of water and placards. However, the response from law enforcement has been anything but peaceful.
In Githurai 45, the police opened fire at night on innocent Kenyans. The shootout resulted in the deaths of several people, casting a dark shadow over the protest movement and the country.
The situation only deteriorated further in Rongai, where another protest was met with a similarly brutal response. Police again resorted to using live ammunition to disperse the crowd, leading to tragic consequences. Among the victims was a child, whose injury has become a symbol of the indiscriminate and reckless violence employed by the police.
These incidents are not isolated. Over the past weeks, numerous reports have surfaced of police using excessive force against demonstrators. Human rights organizations and civil society groups have documented cases of beatings, unlawful arrests, and even torture. The pattern of abuse suggests a systemic issue within the Kenyan police force, one that is characterized by a blatant disregard for human rights and the rule of law.
The use of live bullets on unarmed civilians is a gross violation of international human rights standards and Kenya’s own constitution, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and protest.
The police force’s primary mandate is to protect citizens and uphold the law, not to suppress dissent through violence. The recent events have starkly highlighted the urgent need for reform within the law enforcement agencies to ensure that they serve the people, not oppress them.
