Probe shows police violated children rights during demo

A Law Society of Kenya (LSK) taskforce formed to investigate police conduct during last year’s Lang’ata Road Primary School protests has found that the law enforcers violated fundamental rights.

The team said the police used “excessive, unreasonable and disproportionate force” during the January 19 demonstrations.

The actions of the police, the taskforce said, contradicted “the Kenyan Constitution, the Kenyan law on children and various international and regional instruments on the rights and welfare of children, to which Kenya is a signatory and is expected to comply.”

The taskforce now wants the police to apply “sober approach” especially when dealing with children during protests. It also recommends involvement of all stakeholders to ensure the safety of children remains of utmost consideration in any situation.

“The taskforce through investigations, findings and recommendations established that there was widespread systemic failure across board, of all relevant statutory authorities,” said Gertrude Angote, the chairperson of the taskforce.

READ: Fury at teargas attack on children in land protest

“Our investigation has demonstrated how the system is far from fit for purpose and the need to rethink and review the same. We have set out a number of practical recommendations to reduce incidents such as the Lang’ata Road Primary School saga and to ensure that whenever such crisis occur, State agencies will be in a position to deal proportionately,” said Ms Angote.

The report was compiled by a 12-member team comprising lawyers who include Kituo Cha Sheria executive director Gertrude Angote, Acting LSK chief executive Mercy Wambua, Dennis Mosota, Anthony Mulekyo, John Chigiti, Nyamu Mati, Rose Mbanya, Julie Soweto, Michael Muchemi, Oscar Sang, Haron Olando and Maurice Ogosso.