KENYA: Police Brutality Unacceptable as Government Enforces Curfew, Bishops Condemn
Rt. Rev John Oballa Owaa Chairman of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB).
By Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
The enforcement of dusk-to-dawn curfew in Kenya which commenced on March 27, as an intervention measure to fight the spread of Coronavirus in the nation, raised alarm on how Police officers used excessive force on the public, which Catholic Bishops have condemned, terming it an “unacceptable”.
“The actions by the law enforcement officers across the country, especially in Mombasa, is unacceptable. The brutal acts only add more injury to the people who are already vulnerable. This further exposes the vast majority to the risk of spreading and contracting the virus, including the security forces,” the Bishops stated in their press statement signed by Chairman of the Catholic Justice and Peace Commission (CJPC) of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB), Bishop John Oballa Owaa.
“We witnessed with shock, as vulnerable members of the society such as women, children and some critical actors such as journalists and food suppliers being equally harassed by security officers,” reads the Bishops statement dated Saturday, March 28.
Appreciating the move already taken by Government to stem the spread of COVID-19, the Church leaders said, “We take this opportunity to thank our Government for all the measures it has taken which include timely information to the public on preventive measures, closing of our borders including non-entry of international flights, making available isolation centres, the latest being the enforcement of curfew from dusk to dawn.”
dusk to dawn curfew in Kenya
They have also acknowledged the industriousness of Kenyans in their work for the upkeep of their families but urged the public to be cautious of the government’s directives which are put in place for the good of all.
“We are aware that majority of Kenyans, especially those living in low income areas rely on daily earnings and must continue with their activities… We appreciate Kenyans for their hardworking and resilient nature to ensure that their livelihoods and those of their families continue uninterrupted. All they need is an enabling environment,”
The Bishops further underscored, “It is also our responsibility to pay attention to the requirement that we all must be home between 7.00 p.m. to 5.00 a.m. This is for our own good and for the good of all those we live with and even encounter in the course of our activities.”
They have further appealed to security personnel to adhere to Government directives by observing “social distancing when controlling crowds and enforcing laws,” but at the same time they noted that “better organization from Government is critical.”
The Prelates appreciated those responsible in Mombasa County “for the measures being undertaken to observe and ensure order in the flow of vehicles and that of the public.”
Addressing employers on their role to help their workforce not be culprits of curfew the Bishops said, “All employers must heed to the imposed curfew and ensure they work out plans to safeguard their employees by respecting curfew hours to avoid unfortunate events that we witnessed yesterday. We all MUST play our roles.”
“Let us be our Brothers’ and Sisters’ keeper and stand in solidarity with humanity as we strive to contain the spread of Covid-19,” said the Prelates and concluded “We continue praying that God may help us come out of this pandemic.”
By Thursday April 2, Kenya had confirmed 110 cases of COVID-19 and three deaths.
