Nairobi Senator Hon. Sakaja’s statement to Senate on the state of extrajudicial killings in Kenya

I rise to make a statement on the recent spate of arbitrary extrajudicial killings of innocent young Kenyans by police officers across the city-county of Nairobi.

The number of young people being brutalized and executed by rogue officers is alarming. As a house, we must demand that all those responsible be reprimanded, dismissed and prosecuted in accordance with the law not transferred to other stations.

It is sad and totally unacceptable for us to continue condoning the level of impunity that is being displayed by our police officers in broad daylight

There are rogue elements within the police service that have no regard for the sanctity of life or the rule of law itself.

In the last 15 months, 107 men and women have been killed by police officers. 50% of these killings have taken part in Nairobi County

69% of the dead were between 18-35 years and less than 10% of these cases have led to arrests or prosecution of these officers

As we speak there’s a planned demonstration in Korogocho because a young man called Daniel Mburu was shot dead two days ago at Mama Lucy Hospital because of parking. In fact that young man had rescued a young girl

The Inspector-General should be personally held liable and should be summoned to shed more light on the steps taken to bring this to an end and the status of the 107 cases of extrajudicial killings that have taken place in the last 15 months

The IG must present to us the strategy and new regulations that ensure humane, professional and responsible policing even during demonstrations and picketing as allowed for under Art.37 of the Constitution

He must also update us the state of investigations and prosecutions of the police officers who are alleged to have shot these young people

I urge my colleagues to stand with the youth of Nairobi, the youth of Kenya and to stand on the side of Justice. We must demand implementation of the National Coroners Service Act and the Prevention of Torture Act

The Establishment of a National Inquiry into Violations by Security Agents, Reparations to victims & families of extrajudicial killings & enforced disappearances and for Kenya to ratify the International Convention for Protection of all Persons from enforced disappearances

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