Mombasa human rights groups are demanding for the arrest of all those involved in the killing of protesters outside parliament buildings during the Gen Z #occupyparliament protests on June 25th last year.
This follows a documentary by international media (BBC) that shows the alleged killers of three protesters during the protests.
Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, the human rights activists, led by Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) Rapid Response Officer (RRO) Francis Auma, demanded for the arrest of all the perpetrators who killed unarmed protesters.
“It is now in the limelight that our youth were killed. The documentary has been shown internationally but the government is still mum. We want accountability, we want people to be brought to book. We want justice for the families of the deceased,” said Auma.
They accused the government for being involved in the killings with Auma accusing President William Ruto of being the biggest perpetrator of the killings.
“He sanctioned the armed forces to go on the streets and intimidate protesters. The government has the energy to take soldiers to Haiti to help others. Internationally, we look like morally upright people who care about the lives of others, yet we are being killed by the same people we pay to protect us,” said the MUHURI RRO.
The human rights defenders say they will use all legal means to ensure families of the deceased get the justice they deserve.
“We would like to thank the international media for uncovering what happened in June last year during the protests. If not for the international community, we would not have known what happened that day,” said human rights activist Walid Sketty.
They also called for the government to review the powers given to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and give the Authority power to arrest to ensure they fully fulfill their mandate.
“Enough is enough, we want action. As activists we have talked and cried enough times. Every time we take to the streets to fight for our rights, we get killed. It is not enough for IPOA to be called independent, that independence needs to be enforced,” said Sketty.
“The video clearly shows that the army and a police officer from Central Police station in Nairobi were involved in the killings. It is high time that IPOA’s independence was enforced, you cannot call them independent when they do not have arresting officers. How do you expect someone without a weapon, not even handcuffs, to arrest someone with a weapon?” Posed Sketty.
They also demanded all those who were in charge during the protests, including the then Interior Cabinet Secretary, current Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki be held accountable.
“In law, we call it vicarious liability. You cannot arrest the messenger and leave the sender of the message. All those who sent officers to go kill Kenyans should also be arrested,” said Sketty.
Echoing Auma and Sketty’s sentiments, Ali Fujo from Haki Africa also called on the youth to not tire in the fight for their rights.
“Gen Zs, now is the time. ‘Blood Parliament’ clearly showed us that we have no leaders to fight for us, we must stand firm as Kenyans to fight for our rights. Whenever needed, we will take to the streets to fight for our rights because the law is not being followed and the constitution is not being respected,” said Fujo.
He also called on Kenyans to make the right choice when electing leaders to avoid the country being run in impunity and lawlessness.