Amnesty International and the Kenya Human Rights Commission demand accountability after a documentary revealed security forces killed unarmed protesters, pushing for inquiries into their conduct amidst government resistance to outside scrutiny.
Pressure Grows for Justice After BBC Investigation into Kenyan Security Forces
Pressure Grows for Justice After BBC Investigation into Kenyan Security Forces
Public outcry intensifies following BBC Africa Eye revelations about police and army violence during protests against tax hikes in Kenya.
More than 100,000 demonstrators took to the streets of Nairobi on June 25, 2024, protesting the government's controversial finance bill which aimed to raise $2.7 billion to reduce reliance on external loans. The public sentiment has turned sharply against the government's tactics following a revealing investigation by BBC Africa Eye that identified security personnel responsible for shooting dead three protesters on the significant day when lawmakers voted on the bill.
Amnesty International and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) have come out strongly advocating for accountability, asserting that the officers implicated in the killings should be brought to justice. In defense of the police, government spokesman Isaac Mwaura called the BBC documentary "one-sided" and stated that it failed to fairly portray the events that transpired, including acts of vandalism by protesters.
The BBC approached the Kenyan government for commentary prior to airing the documentary, titled "Blood Parliament." It utilized open-source data and user-generated content to trace the actions of uniformed officers involved in the fatal encounters, revealing a brutal clampdown that resulted in at least 65 deaths and the enforced disappearance of 89 individuals, as reported by Amnesty International. Conversely, the Kenyan government claims the death toll is significantly lower at 42.
In light of the escalating tensions, the BBC canceled a planned private screening of the documentary due to pressure from Kenyan authorities, expressing disappointment over the government's efforts to restrict information dissemination. As an alternative, the film is now available on the BBC Africa YouTube channel.
Following the documentary’s release, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) announced its ongoing investigations regarding 60 deaths, emphasizing that 41 of these cases involved gunshot wounds. The agency has completed 22 investigations and is pursuing 36 others, with two cases currently in the judicial system.
In this charged environment, opposition parties have accused the government of sanctioning violence against peaceful protesters, a sentiment echoed by demonstrators on social media who demand accountability from the security forces. Amidst thickening tensions, President William Ruto, who previously defended police actions, faces increasing scrutiny for his administration's handling of the crisis.
While some politicians call for restrictions on the BBC's operations in Kenya, others, like Senator Edwin Sifuna, advocate for transparency and justice, highlighting the deep divisions within the government and the populace over the handling of recent events. Continued public pressure indicates that Kenyans are resolute in their demand for justice and accountability from their leaders and security agencies.
