Police Deny Partisanship, Use Of Excessive Force During Opposition Protests

The police have discredited concerns that they use excessive force during protests.

The Force’s Spokesperson Charles Owino instead defended the uniform claiming Kenyans were developing a culture of impunity where they (police) are being judged even where their actions are justifiable.

Owino however was quick to add that inquiries and investigations were underway.

This allegation was quickly refuted by the Executive Director Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) Peter Kiama of however said that majority of deaths that were witnessed during the electioneering period had not been submitted for investigations.

Kiama said that the collection of evidence after death is wanting and revealed that most of the bodies collected in Kisumu and Migori were said to have been caused by motor accidents.

Charles Owino said that the memorial service was ‘Uchokozi’ as the there was an important function that was taking place in country and that the day was not ideal for the prayer function.

He argues that there is no measure of force by the police at the time of the incidences and the police act according to the situation they find themselves in.

Read:Did The Historically Dangerous, Killer Guardrails Claim Governor Gakuru’s Life?

The National Police service Act under schedule 6 prescribes the conditions and guidelines which state that the police should always attempt to use non-violent means first and force may only be employed when non-violent means are ineffective or without any promise of achieving the intended result.

This means that the use of force should be proportional to the force that has been meted on a police.

Police should be able to use reasonable means to for crowd control rather than quickly resorting to use of maximum force.

Do you have a story you want told? Do you have a sensitive story you would like us to get our hands on? Email your news TIPS to news@kahwatungu.com