The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has demanded that the National Police Service (NPS) commission releases data on the number of people arrested during the Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya coalition anti-government protests.
In a letter addressed to the police, LSK through its chair Eric Theuri asked the police to provide information on all individuals arrested and detained during the demonstrations.
They also asked the police to allow access to documents pertaining to the postmortem examinations conducted on those killed through the opposition’s protests.
In the same degree, the body requested that the police release the names of those who were killed and access to all aforementioned information within seven days.
“In accordance with article 35 of article of the constitution and section 4 and 5 of the access to information act, we write to you therefore seeking to be furnished with the following information,” the letter reads in parts.
Further, the body cautioned that any failure to provide access to the needed information would potentially attract legal action against the police for violation of human rights.
They also reiterated their commitment to holding transparency and safeguarding the rights of citizens
The latest comes barely weeks after the opposition and the clergy called out the police for misusing their authority and using excessive force on protesters.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) had confirmed that it was investigating police conduct during the opposition’s demonstrations.
The authority also assured Kenyans of its commitment to enhancing accountability in the police force and that all those found guilty would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
“On July 13, 2023, IPOA released a statement to inform Kenyan state and state and non-state institutions that it was actively monitoring how the police conducted public order management and was also actively taking up for investigation any matter that fell under its mandate.
“IPOA thus takes this opportunity to reassure all other concerned individuals and institutions that it is actively living up to Section 6(c) of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act, which requires the Authority to “monitor and investigate policing operations affecting members of the public,” and Section 7 of the IPOA Act, which gives powers to the Authority, to investigate, “any death or serious injury occurring or suspected to have occurred as a result of police action,” IPOA said in a statement.
