Police must resist the urge to use force during protests – Raila

By Peter Ochieng

Azimio La Umoja One Kenya leader Raila Odinga, has accused police of using unnecessary force during protests dubbed ‘Nane Nane’ on Thursday.

Odinga in a statement said the constitution promulgated in 2010 guarantees the right to peaceably picket, demonstrate and protest, adding that security agencies must respect constitutional provisions.

“The police must avoid the temptation of arbitrary arrests, detentions, and excessive use of force,” he stated.

"The right to peaceful assembly, the freedom of expression and the protection of journalists are fundamental pillars of our democracy, pillars that we have fought long and hard to establish and must continue to be protected.”

The former Prime Minister who is in contention for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship, said he stands with the people in their quest for justice and freedom.

“I want to make it clear that I stand with the people in their quest for justice, freedom and the full realisation of their rights. I strongly condemn the actions taken by police and call upon the relevant authorities to respect the constitutional rights of all Kenyans,” he added.

“I also urge the immediate release of those who were unjustly detained and a thorough investigation into the misconduct of the officers involved.”

During the protests, some police officers were captured beating up some Kenyans who turned up for the protests, especially within the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).

Journalists were not spared either.

In a statement on Friday, Raila’s ODM party said at least 70 persons were arrested during the demonstrations.

The party indicated that some of those arrested were persons with disability, calling on relevant authorities to release them with immediate effect.

"The ODM party is asking for the unconditional release of the over seventy Kenyans who were arrested during the public protests in Nairobi and other parts of the country.”

Majority of them, ODM said, were being held at the Central Police Station in Nairobi.