05/10/2017
To the Citizens of the Republic of Kenya
Who should all be concerned,
RE: STATEMENT AGAINST MALEVOLENT AND VIOLENT TREATMENT OF THE STUDENTS IN THE UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI
On 28th September, 2017, students at the University of Nairobi were brutally attacked in their halls of residence and lecture rooms by the police. The Student Consortium for Human Rights Advocacy (SCOHRA Society), a national human rights organization , strongly condemns this action by the police. The violence meted against the students violates their rights as articulated in Chapter 4 of the constitution of Kenya 2010. Article 29 clearly states every person has the right to freedom and security. It goes further to state that persons ought not to be;
• subjected to any form of violence from either public or private sources;
• subjected to torture in any manner, whether physical or psychological;
• subjected to corporal punishment; or
• Treated or punished in a cruel, inhuman or degrading manner.
The actions taken by the security apparatus in this country is therefore unconstitutional. We are also disenchanted by the laxity shown by the Education and acting Internal Security Cabinet Secretary, Dr. Fred Matian’gi as well as the Inspector General of police Mr. Joseph Boinnet in taking action against the police officers that executed this heinous operation. We would also like to express disapproval of the actions (or lack thereof) taken by the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi, Prof. Mbithi. He has failed to protect students on Campus grounds which makes him unfit to continue leading this institution.
Furthermore, we strongly revile the move by the University of Nairobi Senate to shut down the institution. It is a gross violation of their right to education and freedom of expression. These attempts by the state to curtail the voice of the student fraternity in this country are foul and in absolute bad faith. We the members of SCOHRA Society stand in solidarity with the students afflicted. We call upon IPOA and KNHRC to continue with their investigations without bias, fear of favour. We call upon the student community in our country to support our colleagues at this trying time for democracy and rule of law in our country for injustice to one is prejudice to all May Justice truly be our Shield and Defender.
Issued by
Change agents
The SCOHRA membership
