This archive report was first published on 22 July 2019.
The Bullet for Civil Disobedience ¶
Published on October 3rd, 2017, by Gaudence Were.
Police brutality in Kenya has reached alarming levels, with officers using excessive force against civilians, including peaceful demonstrators. This is unacceptable and must be stopped immediately.
When people take to the streets to demonstrate, they are exercising their fundamental right to freedom of expression and assembly. However, the police seem to view these demonstrations as a threat to their authority, and they respond with brutal force.
As the writer notes, 'demonstrations are not supposed to be flowery events.' They are meant to draw attention to important issues and bring about change. But when the police use live bullets and physical force to disperse crowds, they are not only violating the rights of the demonstrators but also creating a culture of fear and intimidation.
The writer argues that the police must be denied the power to punish wrongs and alleged wrongs. If they are allowed to use excessive force, they will continue to do so, and the system will become even more corrupt.
It is not enough to condemn police brutality only when it affects 'our people.' We must stand up against it at all times, whether it is a protestor, a thief, a young child, or a sick man on the receiving end.
As a society, we must demand accountability from our law enforcement agencies and ensure that they are held to the highest standards of professionalism and respect for human rights.
The writer is a Student at The Kenyan Law School and a Social Justice Apologist.
