Police or goons? Questions emerge over conduct of armed plainclothes officers at anti-Finance Bill protests
Questions are emerging over the conduct of
armed plainclothes police officers during Tuesday's protests against Finance Bill, 2024.
In what appears to be an escalation in the
deployment of the so-called plainclothes police, tens of men without uniforms
infiltrated crowds to pick out persons suspected to be heading to the anti-tax
bill protests.
This as the protestors came out in opposition to
contentious proposals contained in the Bill, with the Nairobi Central Business
District (CBD) being their orbit of operation.
They marched and chanted against a Bill they termed
as punitive, calling for reforms. They had their share of a day filled with
events, and a goal to petition Members of the National Assembly to reject the
Finance Bill, 2024 .
The protestors were however blocked by police
who pushed some of them into awaiting vehicles.
However, plainclothes police officers, who had
no identifications or labels showing they are officials of the National Police
Service (NPS), also came out to play.
The action is however a violation of
Constitutional rights, especially on the procedure of arrest, with many of the
police officers without an identity taking into custody protestors.
They, in some instances, used excessive force
to break up lawful protests without notification, identifying themselves, and
issuing warnings to the protestors.
It is a matter of concern, according to human
rights groups, and a violation of Constitutional rights.
The lack of clear accountability measures
raising concerns about the action by the National Police Service during
protests, that under the Constitution are allowed.
This even as calls for transparency and
proper oversight amplifies to stave off human rights violations and police
misconduct.
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