This archive report was first published on 30 June 2020.
June 30, 2020 - The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has released a report highlighting the National Police Service and other state agencies' role in human rights violations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The report, titled 'Pain and Pandemic: Unmasking the State of Human Rights in Kenya in Containment of the COVID-19 Pandemic,' assessed the government's response to the pandemic over the past 100 days, covering nine thematic areas affected by the pandemic.
According to the report, the police were ranked as the top violators of human rights at 59%, followed by other state actors at 40%.
KNCHR CEO Dr. Bernard Mogesa stated, 'During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have witnessed a surge in human rights violations.' The report documented 222 cases of human rights violations in just three months, including high incidences of violation of economic, social, and cultural rights.
During the same period, the State commission documented 10 deaths caused by police officers and 87 cases of human rights abuse by law enforcers.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) confirmed that 87 complaints against police officers were under review, with 15 deaths and 31 incidents of assault linked to police officers.
The report also criticized the government for forceful evictions of people in areas such as Kariobangi and Ruai in Nairobi.
KNCHR Director of Research, Advocacy, and Outreach Anne-Marie Okutuyi emphasized the need to strengthen law enforcement agencies through capacity building to ensure they enforce regulations within the law and uphold human rights standards.
The report recommended that the National Emergency and Response Committee on COVID-19 prioritize actions aimed at cushioning vulnerable persons against marginalization.
However, the report recognized six police officers for their exemplary services to Kenyans during the COVID-19 pandemic, including Baringo Central Administration Police Commandant Ibrahim Abachilla and Amina Ramadan, an officer from Embakasi Police Station, who were recognized for their unique way of enforcing the curfew without breaching human rights.
