Comedian and human rights activist Eric Omondi has condemned the use of excessive force by police officers during the ongoing countrywide anti-government protests.
In a post shared on his official X account on Wednesday, July 24, 2024, the vocal comedian said protesters should not be harassed, injured and killed by the police while exercising their constitutional rights.
The activist added that the current countrywide protests that are being witnessed aim at bringing sanity to the country.
“We all love our country so much! and we all know what we can achieve in a functioning country, with accessible healthcare care, working systems and is corruption-free! Demanding a better Kenya is not a crime,” he said.
Police brutality
Police have been condemned for abducting, unlawful arrest, inflicting injuring and killing the anti-government protesters.
Nairobi Women Representative Esther Passaris condemned the use of tear gas and water cannons in residential areas by the police to disperse protesters who had threatened to occupy the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) during the Tuesday, July 23, 2024, anti-government protests.
“Very sad. I lack words. Shame. Shame. Shame. Kenya Police Force you are out of line. It’s totally out of line. Shame on you. Residential areas should be out of bounds for water canons; tear gas and live ammunition. You have gone overboard. STOP this abuse of power on innocent women and children,” Passaris said.
LSK warning
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) on Thursday, June 21, 2024, issued a stern warning to the National Police Service(NPS) against police interference with the ongoing peaceful anti-government 2024 protests witnessed across the country.
In a statement published on the socials, LSK president Faith Odhiambo cautioned the police service against breaking Article 37 of the 2010 constitution adding that they are monitoring the ongoing protest.
“Fundamentally, the Sovereign people of Kenya exercise their right under Article 37 without fear of persecution or unwarranted acts of aggression,” Faith said.
“The @LawSocietyofKe is keeping a keen watch on today’s planned protests. We reiterate our stern warning to officers of the@NPSOfficial_KE across the country that acts of violence and arbitrariness will be met with strong opposition and personal legal consequences.”
We all love our country🇰🇪 so much! and we all know what we can achieve in a functioning country,with accessible healthcare care ,working systems and is corruption free !
Demanding a better Kenya is not a crime ✊🏿— ERIC OMONDI (@ericomondi_) July 24, 2024