Extra-judicial killings stalk police in new IMLU report
IMLU Executive Director Peter Kiama (right) with legal officer Nathan Karugu during a press conference on the report on deaths from police. IMLU has said police have killed 74 people from January to April 2017. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- 53 per cent the number were summarily executed, 28 per cent those shot by police on self-defense
- Statistics given on monthly executions indicates that six cases were recorded in January and 33 in February
- Nairobi County topped the list with a total of 46 cases
Police have killed 74 people from January to April this year, a report by a lobby group against torture has revealed.
The report by Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) further states that the number of those killed increased compared to the same period last year, which stood at 64.
Out of the 74 lives lost, 39 were categorized as cases of ‘summary executions’, 21 murder cases and 14 died in the hands of police in unclear circumstances.
Two were female while the rest were male.
This translates to 53 per cent the number of those who were summarily executed, 28 per cent those shot by police on self-defence or in defence of others against threat of life or serious injury while 19 per cent were executed in an unclear circumstances.
NPSC COMMITMENT
It further raises queries on the commitment of the National Police Service to respect the right of life as prescribed in the constitution.
“Of concern, is that the continued misuse of firearms by police officers is against the sixth schedule of the National Police Service Act that provides the guidelines for use of force and firearms,” part of the report indicates.
Statistics given on monthly executions indicates that six cases were recorded in January; February had 33 while March and April the cases are said to have decreased to 21 and 14 cases respectively.
TOP ON THE LIST
Nairobi County topped the list with a total of 46 cases while Kiambu and Elgeyo Marakwet followed with six each county.
Kilifi and Nakuru counties had four cases each, Baringo (three), Taita Taveta (two) while Kwale and Nyahururu had one case each.
In bid to end police execution, IMLU has urged relevant authorities led by Inspector General of Police, Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) and the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) to enhance means that will bring to an end the indiscriminate killing of people without following the law.
From 2013 up to April 2017, 686 people have been killed by police officers, with 73 being executed under unclear circumstances while 537 cases were categorized as summary executions.
