A team of lawyers led by Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Faith Odhiambo on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, stormed the Central Police Station demanding the release of the arrested protesters.
In a video shared by Odhiambo on her official X account, the lawyers are heard chanting at the report’s office, demanding to see the Officer Commanding the Station (OCS).
“We want the OCS,” the lawyers are heard chanting.
At Central Police Station. https://t.co/1x8O71gxWk
— Faith Odhiambo (@FaithOdhiambo8) June 18, 2024
The lawyers were attempting to bail out the peaceful protesters that are being held at the Central Police Station following their arrest during the Occupy Parliament demonstrations.
Lawyers teargassed
However, they were not granted an ear by the police station. Instead, police officers at Central Police Station lobbed teargas canisters at the lawyers to disperse them.
Police used tear gas against lawyers attempting to bail out peaceful protesters held at the Central Police Station. pic.twitter.com/3SIKcPDqoB
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) June 18, 2024
The lawyers later addressed a press conference condemning the police’s move to teargas them.
They stated that they had been told by the police at the station that the demonstrators were only going to be released at 6pm.
They have teargassed rais @FaithOdhiambo8 and other advocates out of Central Police Station seeking release of protesters and their advocates who were arrested. Wamesema turudi 6 tutoe wangwana, and we will be theya. Ya kwanza ndio inawasha😂 pic.twitter.com/JeOqf9iyY9
— Nyerere (@ernestnyerere) June 18, 2024
Odhiambo took to her official X account to condemn the police, terming the teargassing incident as a new low from the police.
“Police have decided to teargas Advocates and LSK council members who were at the Central Police Station seeking the release of innocent protestors. This is a new low for the National Police Service.Our resolve remains unchanged, we must stamp out impunity,” Odhiambo said.
Police have decided to teargas Advocates and @LawSocietyofKe council members who were at the Central Police Station seeking the release of innocent protestors. This is a new low for the @NPSOfficial_KE. Our resolve remains unchanged, we must stamp out impunity.
— Faith Odhiambo (@FaithOdhiambo8) June 18, 2024
The lawyers were joined by Embakasi East Member of Parliament (MP) Babu Owino during their press conference outside the Central Police Station.
Babu Owino’s demand
Babu Owino had earlier demanded the immediate release of the protesters without charges.
Addressing a press conference at Parliament buildings on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, Babu Owino gave the police an ultimatum of 24 hours to release the protesters.
“We are giving police 24 hours to release these peaceful protesters without charge or we will move to court against the Inspector General of Police Koome in his individual capacity for gross violation of the freedom of speech and the right to picket and protest which is enshrined in our Constitution 2010,” Babu Owino said.
Protesters arrested
Police on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, arrested protesters who were converging at various meeting points within the Central Business District, to protest against the Finance Bill, 2024.
Protesters who attempted to assemble outside the Nation Centre, National Archives, Kencom and Jeevanjee grounds were swiftly arrested and whisked into waiting police vehicles.
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