Stop police brutality

The independent Medico-Legal Unit would like to strongly condemn the blatant misuse of police power by GSU officers in operations within Mumias area last week, especially in the villages of Shivale, Koyonzo and Mayoni.

Our preliminary investigations indicate that this operation was not only brutish, shameless, and careless but one that was conducted completely outside the confines of the law, leading to the tragic death of one person, sexual assault of women, abuses and injuries to tens of residents, and looting and destruction of private property.

Preliminary reports also indicate that some of the victims were being arrested when they went to report their complaints at the Mumias Police Station. This is in complete violation of Article 28 on human dignity where every person has inherent dignity and the right to have that dignity respected and protected.

Further Article 29 (a) provides that every person has the right to freedom and security, which includes the right not to be deprived of freedom arbitrarily or without just cause.

As we finalize our investigations, we call for the immediate interdiction of the officer in-charge of this operation and all other officers in the contingent that was involved. We reiterate that in this particular case command and individual responsibility are primary towards accountability and justice for victims.

We also call upon the government to take responsibility for the medical and psychological rehabilitation of all victims and a public apology from the Inspector General to all victims and residents of the three villages for these breaches on their dignity, safety and security.

In the meantime IMLU will conclude and produce the legal, psychological and medical evidence with a view to ensuring accountability and justice for all affected.

Peter Kiama
Executive Director