By Sarah Nyakio
“I was a daily victim of police brutality and enforced disappearances,” Koigi Wa Wamwere said.
Koigi Wa Wamwere is a human rights activist and writer. Koigi became famous for opposing both the Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Arap Moi regimes, both of which sent him to detention. He was speaking during the launch of the Impunity Magazine held on Wednesday, August 29, 2018, to commemorate this year’s International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances in partnership with International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ).
International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances is commemorated all over the world on the 30th of August each year to stand in solidarity with men and women who have been unlawfully arrested, detained and have never been seen again. The magazine is part of the continuing advocacy campaign aimed at raising awareness to members of the public and duty bearers on the impacts of extrajudicial killings in the community.
Extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances are one of the most terrifying trends experienced in Kenya in the recent past. The staggering statistics reported by the different rights group have drawn attention to this inhuman act. The Police Reforms Working Group (PRWG) undertook a countrywide campaign in 2017 against extrajudicial killings committed by Law Enforcement Agents. The publication is the second edition of the Impunity Watch magazine that reinforces the importance of sustained advocacy against extrajudicial killings in Kenya.
Some of the high-profile killings by police also highlighted in the magazine include that of lawyer Willie Kimani, his client Josphat Mwendwa and their taxi driver Joseph Muiruri who were abducted and later found dead in a river in Machakos County on June 23rd, 2016.They were abducted just after attending a court hearing for Josephat Mwendwa, who was facing trumped-up charges after he reported a police officer for arbitrarily shooting at him.A few months ago a Meru University student Evans Njoroge was killed in Meru County for protesting against poor administration and tuition fee increment. During the dialogue, the discussion drew close attention to the role of victims and survivors in fighting this unlawful acts.
One of the critical issues that came up was the security sector reform agenda. This is a vital issue in informing both the PRWG in their engagement with the Ministry of Interior. On February 2, 2018, President Uhuru Kenyatta outlining the Jubilee Government’s achievements in the security sector in the last five years, the President assured of continued reforms to boost police welfare and guarantee Kenyans effective service. The importance of police reform is to transform all security agencies into efficient, effective, professional and accountable agencies that Kenyans can trust for their safety and security.
One of the Nyayo torture chambers survivors, Wachira Waheire said the lack of accountability and impunity in the system has led to widespread extrajudicial executions.
According to the 2017 Human Rights Report by Amnesty International, Kenya was ranked top in Africa in case of police shootings and killings of civilians. Extrajudicial killings are among the most flagrant, mortifying and irreparable form of human rights violations. Extrajudicial killings go against our Constitution. Article 50 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 provides that every accused person has the right to a fair trial.
“Whenever a law enforcement agency resorts to violate the rights of an individual while enforcing the law or to maintain public order the agency loses its credibility, legality, and authority.” Executive Director ICJ Kenya Samwel Mohochi confirmed.
As we commemorate this year’s International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, ICJ Kenya has the following demands of accountability from the responsible duty bearers a feat to be achieved through:
• Shaping the public narrative on Extrajudicial Executions
• Creating visibility by sharing stories centered on the victims as opposed to perpetrators
• Acknowledgment of past disappearances and killings
