The Wajir County Senator Dr Abdullahi Kabreta has strongly condemned the police brutality that happened Thursday on demonstrators in Bute, Wajir North Constituency. He termed the excessive force meted on the demonstrators as ruthless and inhuman during the confrontation.
They were complaining that since the curfew started the police have been engaging on extortion actions demanding bribes from shopkeepers, boda boda riders as well as from matatu operators who ferry milk into the town.
So far one person is currently hospitalised in Bute hospital after being shot and injured during the melee. A reliable source confirmed to ARF Media that the demonstrators were peacefully airing their grievances but later police in combat gear turned the situation upside down.
Sen.Kabreta reacting to the incident said it was a serious violation of human rights and asked relevant authorities led by the Inspector General of the Police Hillary Mutyambai, the County commissioner Jacob Narengo and the county commander of police Thomas Ngeywa to move with speed and arrest the officers who fired the bullet and ensure they face the full force of the law.
The Senator stated that the role of police is very clear in the Constitution and therefore firing bullets to innocent citizens is a serious violation that is punishable by law.
Mr Kabreta said the ongoing curfew ordered by President Uhuru Kenyatta to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is not meant to harass citizens but instead guide them on how to adhere and implement the Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines on the fight against Coronavirus.
“It is regrettable for the police to use such excessive force and harass people while implementing the curfew”, he said.
The Senator further cautioned the police against putting four barriers within 40 kilometers between Watiti and Danaba terming the move misuse of public resources. He however urged the demonstrators to maintain peace and asked the relavant authorities to take immediate action against police officers breaching their Code of Conduct.