Coast Regional police commander Ali Nuno during a past event/FILE
Police have launched investigations into an attack on members of civil society who went to the Mombasa County Assembly to present a petition, with the Coast Regional Police Command condemning the incident and promising to pursue those behind the violence.
In a press statement, Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno Dubat said a multi-agency team comprising officers from the Kenya Police Service (KPS), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Administration Police Service (APS) had been constituted to investigate the incident.
The team has been tasked with investigating, arresting and prosecuting those responsible for the attack, as well as their alleged financiers and mobilisers.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the attack on members of civil society who went to the Mombasa County Assembly, a protected area, to present a petition,” Nuno said.
The police commander said the failure by the petitioners to notify authorities before visiting the assembly did not justify the violence meted out against them.
“Two wrongs do not make a right. The failure to notify authorities does not justify violence. The attack on innocent and unarmed civilians is unacceptable and a threat to our democracy,” he said.
The statement comes amid renewed concerns over the safety of citizens seeking to exercise their constitutional right to petition public institutions.
Nuno said the Mombasa County Police Command had also been directed to provide security for members of civil society, youth representatives and Fourth Estate journalists when they return to present their petition.
The group will be escorted to the assembly to make their presentation in consultation with the county leadership on a date and time of their choice.
“We have also directed the Mombasa County Police Command to escort the members of civil society, the youth and the Fourth Estate to make and present their petition in consultation with the leadership of the County Assembly of Mombasa on a date and time of their choice,” Nuno said.
The regional commander further urged the leadership of the county assembly to uphold the Constitution and guarantee citizens the right to peaceful petitioning.
He cited Article 37 of the Constitution, which protects the right of every person to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions peacefully and unarmed.
“We urge the leadership of the County Assembly to uphold the Constitution and guarantee the right to peaceful petition as provided for in Article 37 of the Constitution,” he said.
At the same time, police reminded civil society groups and other organisers that the right to petition comes with responsibilities.
Nuno said organisers should notify authorities in good time, while participants should remain peaceful, unarmed and avoid provocation.
“We also appeal to the members of civil society that their right to picket and present a petition does not exist on its own,” he said.
He said organisers must fulfil their obligations towards attaining the constitutional right and freedom, including notifying authorities in good time.
The police commander said the multi-agency investigation would also focus on those who financed and mobilised the alleged attackers.
