During this pandemic, there have been a lot of police brutality reports worldwide. First of all, we start with the killing of George Floyd that has caused many vulnerable people to raise their voices. Floyd was an African-American who was killed by a white police officer known as Derek Chauvin. The white cop arrested George Floyd and pinned him to the ground putting his knee against George’s neck for several minutes. People all over the globe reacted to the situation as black Americans in Atlanta held violent demonstrations saying that Black Lives Matter.
Here in Africa, we look at police brutality in South Africa. After President Cyril Ramaphosa imposed a national lockdown and a ban on alcohol consumption, the police force went wild. They would beat people up in the name of enforcing the government’s directives. Some people lost their lives due to the excessive force that the police were using. There have also been protests in the West African countries concerning the inhumaneness of the police force.
Police Cruelty In Kenya
Since President Uhuru Kenyatta announced a dawn-dusk curfew and a partial lockdown in the country, a lot has been happening. There seems to be a growing hatred between the police and the citizens. Kenyan police force seems to be using excessive force to enforce the law. Several citizens especially from poor neighborhoods have complained about police brutality. Take a look at Mathare slums. The police are beating people to death and even shooting innocent people in the name of enforcing directives. Currently, there are police officers who are under investigation of manslaughter.
Protests Against Police Brutality In Kenya
Earlier this week, the residents together with the MP of Mathare gathered around the capital demanding justice for their people. They demanded peace and that police officers need to stop killing people in their area. Some demonstrators carried wooden caskets written the names of the people who were victims of the police killings. The guards around the parliament pushed away the caskets towards the protesters. Different protesters had different statements to make.
“It is vital to stand in solidarity with victims of police brutality both locally and worldwide and it’s atrocious. We can’t have a peaceful, prosperous, existence with a police state, period.”
“Citizens are sick and tired of the police brutality, we want justice for everyone, regardless of whether in Kenya or all over the world, LGBT, anybody, black lives matter. We just want justice, there’s no need for violence, nobody needs to die, nobody needs.”
Furthermore, artists in Mathare have painted pictures of the victims on the walls to honor them and pass a message to the police force.
The Human Rights Groups Against Police Cruelty In Kenya
Various human rights organizations including Amnesty International have condemned police cruelty. Furthermore, they are strongly warning the police force against harming innocent citizens. Several human rights activists stood in solidarity with the Mathare residents as they were marching down the capital. They also carried boards displaying information that the people wanted police killings to stop.
Government Of Kenya Gives Directives On Stopping The Police Brutality
The incident on Monday took the attention of the government and forced it to give its way forward concerning the situation. The authorities said that the police head should sack any police officer who is involved in extrajudicial killings including those under investigations. The government also announced heavy penalties on any cop involved in brutality. Furthermore, the human rights group demanded that the government should set aside some money to cater for the vulnerable and compensate the victims.
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