Chief Justice Martha Koome has urged police and security forces to be more careful when making arrests, following recent concerns about illegal detentions and abductions.
Her advice comes after reports of individuals being taken into custody without proper legal procedures. In a statement released on Wednesday, CJ Koome stressed the need to follow the law and protect people’s rights during arrests. “It is important that we keep our legal system fair and just,” Koome said. “Law enforcement must act according to the law and respect everyone’s rights.”
This call for caution follows allegations of protestors having been abducted by security forces and held without charges. Both local and international human rights groups have criticized these actions, pointing out that they violate basic rights and legal standards.
According to news outlets, there have been many complaints about these questionable detentions. Some of those taken into custody have reportedly been held for days without being formally charged, leading to public concern and calls for reform.
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Following recent events of abductions, CJ Koome’s call for caution was partly triggered by the recent case of an activist who was allegedly abducted. The activist, name withheld, was held for several days before being released without charges, which highlighted the issue of improper detentions. Amid these developments, Boniface Mwangi, a prominent Kenyan activist and photographer and four others, are currently still detained for accusations of incitement to violence for twenty-one days to complete pending investigations by police.
In her statement, CJ Koome also called for better training for police and investigators to ensure they follow legal procedures. “We need to train officers properly and hold them accountable to prevent misuse of power and ensure lawful arrests,” she said.
The government has not yet responded officially to CJ Koome’s remarks, but the Ministry of Interior, led by Dr. Kithure Kindiki, has stated that it is committed to upholding the law and addressing any misconduct.
Dr. Kindiki emphasized, “The Ministry of Interior remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring that all actions taken by law enforcement are within the bounds of the law. We are dedicated to addressing any instances of misconduct transparently and swiftly.” As the situation develops, there is growing pressure on authorities to be more transparent and accountable in their practices.