Government on demos: Police will use force where necessary

The government has affirmed its commitment to respect the sanctity of human life as it moves to quell the nationwide protests but sternly warned that acts of a criminal nature will be met with force.

In a statement Tuesday evening, the Interior Ministry expressed regret that what started as peaceful demonstrations had been infiltrated by criminal elements resulting in loss of property and lives.

“While the police are guided by the National Police Service Act which prohibits the use of excessive force in the execution of their duties, Section 49 of the Police Service Act allows the security officers to use force only when it is necessary and to the extent required in the execution of their duties,” the Ministry said.

It added that security agencies are under instruction to exercise restraint in the face of peaceful protests but the script will flip to the use of force in the face of criminalities to ensure public safety.

“The police can indeed be compelled to use reasonable force when isolated and specific scenarios of protests escalate to criminalities including rioting, looting and burning of properties, disruption of traffic through the erection of roadblocks on major highways and invasion of critical and protected infrastructure.”

The statement came as protests in some parts of the country took a chaotic turn with isolated cases of injuries resulting from clashes between security forces and protesters.

Three people, among them a journalist, were allegedly shot during the anti-government protests in Nakuru.

A group of protesters also unsuccessfully attempted to storm the Machakos police station in a bid to free their colleague who had allegedly been arrested.

Elsewhere in Kericho Town, a group of youths allegedly hired to block the demos from happening vanished after protesters repelled them.

In its statement, the Interior Ministry said more security personnel have been deployed in hotspots and areas with critical infrastructure.

The ministry urged business and private building owners guarding their property to liaise with the area police for orderly management of security.

It said criminals camouflaging as peaceful protesters will be dealt with firmly in strict adherence to the law.

“All arrests made in any part of the country are subject to the Criminal Procedure Code that spells out how arrests are executed, and detention and trial of suspects. Anyone aggrieved by police actions is welcome to seek redress through our established criminal justice system, including the courts,” the ministry said.

The government said the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) is already on the ground conducting investigations into alleged police misconduct, killings and reported enforced disappearances.

The ministry further revealed that it has recommended to the President to initiate the process of establishing the Coroner General’s Office to investigate deaths, including those resulting from police action and cases of suspicious deaths.

“We remain on high alert concerning the insecurity posed by protest infiltrations and the cases of violence and disruption of public order. A National Multi-Agency Command to coordinate the security operations has been established.”