LSK amplifies call for eradication of extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) earlier this week called on the new administration led by President William Ruto to bring and end to extrajudicial killings and ensure justice for victims of enforced disappearances and killings, including those perpetrated during the electioneering period.
LSK’s call came more than two weeks since the disappearance and killing of former Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) official, Daniel Musyoka.
Musyoka, a Returning Officer in Embakasi East Constituency, went missing on August 11 at the height of vote counting. His dead body was discovered three days later, dumped in a forest near Oloitokitok.
He was buried on August 26, but since then details remain scanty on the identities of his killers or the progress on investigations.
“We urge the incoming administration to make a commitment to conduct thorough investigations into the disappearance and killings of Kenyans, including the IEBC officials during the electioneering period, in order to bring the culprits to books and uphold the integrity of the election process,” President Eric Theuri said Monday.
Theuri’s call amplified a similar push by Missing Voices for the government to bring justice to Musyoka’s family and other families across the country.
Also worth noting, the IEBC Chairperson Wafula Chebukati, who attended Musyoka’s burial, called on authorities to find and prosecute his killers.
Still, no suspect has been taken into custody and no information has been issued on the progress of investigations.
A positive development was however noted after President Ruto began his reign.
Ruto pledged to run a government adherent to the tenets of the Constitution of Kenya, which stresses justice for all Kenyans.
In his campaigns, the Head of State said his administration would add impetus in the war against extrajudicial killings.
“The Kenya Kwanza Alliance commits to completing the full implementation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and to promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Number 16, on peace, justice and strong institutions,” Ruto said as he laid out the Coalition’s manifesto on June 30.
He also pointed out that the coroner will be in charge of investigating violent deaths, deaths by unfair means, or during pregnancy or sudden deaths, deaths in police or military custody and see to it that justice prevails.
Missing Voices notes that a full implementation of this pledge would ensure progress in the country’s fight against immoral actions by rogue elements within the security agencies.
With it, families would be sure of knowing the whereabouts of their loved ones in cases of police arrest, as there would be more accountability within the forces.
Missing Voices will however continue to be at the forefront in calling out illegal actions by police officers in the delivery of their services.
We also remain committed to pursuing justice for all the families affected by extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.
