KHRC gives DPP seven days to act on police killings

The Kenya Human Rights Commission has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Director of Public Prosecutions to take action over a series of police killings reported since the start of the year, warning it will pursue private prosecution if no cases are filed.

In a press statement issued in Nairobi on Tuesday, the commission said the latest incident involved the killing of Sharon Adhiambo, a first-year student at the Kenya Medical Training College, who was shot dead on February 7 in Huruma, Nairobi.

The commission condemned the killing and said it was part of a wider trend of violence documented in recent weeks.

The commission said it has recorded at least seven police killings across the country since January 1.

The first case cited is that of 14-year-old Dennis Ringa, who was shot dead in Mombasa on New Year’s Day. This was followed, it said, by the killing of Shukri Adan, 20, on January 11 in Mukuru kwa Njenga, Nairobi.

The statement also lists the shooting of George Gathu Matheri, 40, in Nyeri on January 18.

A day later, the commission said, police officers in Kakamega killed Godfrey Muyonga, 52, and Benedict Isiakali, 34, and injured another man.

On February 1, two more men, James Muraga Maina, 29, and Daniel Nudhu Njoki, 45, were killed in Kahawa West, Nairobi, according to the commission.

Beyond fatal incidents, the commission said it has documented several cases in which members of the public were injured during encounters with police officers.

It reported that on January 10, police in Nandi attacked and injured young people who were playing pool.

Three days later, Francis Nzau was assaulted by police officers in Kahawa West, Nairobi.

The statement also referred to a January 20 incident in which a man was shot and injured in Mukuru kwa Njenga during protests over demolitions.

The commission based its concerns on constitutional provisions governing police conduct.

It cited Articles 29 and 244 of the Constitution, which require officers to carry out their duties in a professional manner and with due regard to human rights and the rule of law.

Based on the cases it documented, the commission said these obligations had been violated, including the right to life protected under Article 25.

While acknowledging that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority has opened investigations into some of the incidents, the commission raised concern over what it described as the slow pace of the inquiries.

It said the delays continue to undermine victims’ efforts to obtain justice and accountability.

The commission demanded the immediate resignation of Inspector-General Douglas Kanja, saying the call was based on what it views as his failure to stop systemic abuse and end a culture of impunity within the police service.

It also called for the arrest and prosecution of officers it said were directly involved in shootings or assaults, and said accountability should extend to police commanders under whose supervision the incidents occurred.

The statement set a deadline for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Ingonga, to act.

The commission said it had given the DPP seven days to institute proceedings against officers it considers culpable, failing which it would initiate private prosecution.

The commission said its demands were in line with its mandate to promote accountability and protect constitutional rights.

The statement did not indicate whether the Inspector-General, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, or the police service had responded to the allegations or demands.