There has been criticism of police brutality as four opposition supporters have been shot dead in protests in the past weeks in Siaya and Kisumu in western Kenya and a policeman was caught on camera beating a demonstrator with heavy batons and kicks. At least three people were killed during one of the demonstrations when police fired at protesters, according to media including Nairobi-based broadcaster Citizen TV.
Advertisement
Young boys walk past a barricade of burning tyres, erected by demonstrators calling for the disbandment of the national electoral commission over allegations of bias and corruption, in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya Monday, Ju…
Police refused to comment on the matter.
Juliana Otieno, superintendent at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital, said 12 casualties with bullet wounds had been admitted to her hospital, while she said Kisumu County hospital reported one dead and others with bullet wounds.
The violence occurred as the opposition CORD alliance resumed weekly protests aimed at seeking a shake-up of the country’s electoral commission, which they accuse of bias.
Kenyan television reported at least one person killed.
Protesters blocked a road with the other body as they clashed with police.
Police had initially barred the demonstrations, but a court ruled that the constitution allows picketing and ordered police to provide the protesters with security.
“We are telling the Jubilee government that if you don’t agree for dialogue to take place, note this, we have been doing this on Mondays, we are going to do them on Mondays and Thursdays”, he warned.
Protests organised by the CORD grouping began in April to force a change of leadership at the country’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) ahead of presidential polls due next year.
“The #CORDdemos will be on this Monday, following breached dialogue agreements”, CORD said on its Twitter feed.
CORD first congregated at Uhuru Park with CORD leader Raila Odinga leading a peaceful procession through Kenyatta Avenue and Moi Avenue to University Way.
Police had banned today’s protests but Cord leaders have defied past warnings insisting IEBC chairman Issack Hassan and his team of commissioners must leave.
Advertisement
But there are fears of a repeat of violence that erupted after the 2007 elections.
