There are reports that senior government officials in Kenya have threatened to take action against an opposition coalition.
Development Diaries reports that the opposition coalition recently held anti-government protests over the rising cost of living and grievances relating to the August 2022 presidential election.
It is understood that some senior police officials, who have described the protests as illegal, vowed to use force to disperse protesters.
The country’s Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, also said demonstrations, gatherings, or protests will not be tolerated as all lawful means will be used to disperse such gatherings.
But some human rights groups, including Human Rights Watch (HRW), have condemned the actions of the authorities in the East African country.
HRW also said it has documented the killing of at least 16 people, most of whom were either shot or beaten to death by police personnel during demonstrations between March and May 2023.
Under Kenyan law, neither the police nor other government officials have the authority to outlaw protests. However, it was gathered that police fired tear gas inside houses causing the death of children through suffocation.
Development Diaries would like to remind the authorities in Kenya that the country is obligated under international human rights law to protect citizens’ right to freely assemble and to peacefully protest.
Photo source: George Peter Kaluma
