afrol News - Police on high alert as demonstrations hit Nairobi

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Kenya
Society | Human rights | Politics

Police on high alert as demonstrations hit Nairobi

afrol News, 5 March - Kenyan police are on high alert in the capital Nairobi after an alleged gang blocked roads and burnt shops in protest of the police executions on detainees, the government statement has said.

The demonstrations were announced after a report released last Wednesday by the UN Special Rapporteur for Human Rights, Prof Philip Alston, called for the sacking of the police commissioner and the resignation of Attorney General, Amos Wako.

The Rapporteur accused the police of forming special squads that killed suspects with impunity.

The statement said the sect, Mungiki and university students were lined up in the morning and had also vowed to continue on Friday until the government sacks the Police Commissioner.

Local reports said the city was at a standstill when more than 70 percent of public transport was not operating due to a blockade by the protesters.

Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said security will be tight in Nairobi and Thika. “The demos seek acknowledge support from the United Nations Rapporteur, Kenya National Commission for Human Rights, activists and some politicians,” Mr Kiraithe said.

Tension was reported to be high in Thika and Murang’a on Wednesday when contingents of police officers from other areas arrived to provide reinforcements there.

Reports said police arrested dozens of protestors who were accused of inciting others against police crackdowns in Thika.

Nairobi slums and Rift Valley towns were among the flashpoints of a struggle for power between supporters of President Mwai Kibaki and the opposition leader Mr Raila Odinga.

Mr Kiraithe said Kenyan law prohibits groupings to carry out any form of demonstrations and warned that action would be taken against any one found contravening the law. “As far as we are concerned, police have not been notified of any planned demonstrations. The law will have to be followed to the letter,” he warned.

Some Kenyan politicians allegedly hired the Mungiki during the 2007 post election elections violence. A power-sharing deal was signed in late February 2008 to end the conflict, after mediation by former UN chief Kofi Annan and Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete.