Missing Voices, released a shocking report on the status of extrajudicial killings in Kenya, indicating that this issue is far from being resolved and merits more attention from public authorities.
Nairobi (Kenya), 14th February 2020 – Missing Voices, released a shocking report on the status of extrajudicial killings in Kenya, indicating that this issue is far from being resolved and merits more attention from public authorities. Protection International Kenya, together with 11 other organizations, welcomes the publication of this report and endorses its rightful demands, including:
• The implementation of the National Coroner’s Act and the Prevention of Torture Act;
• The establishment of a National Commission of Inquiry into violations by security agents;
• Granting reparations for victims and families of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances;
• A public pronouncement by the Inspector General of Police and Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Security condemning police excesses.
At least 107 Kenyans were killed by the police in 2019, reports Missing Voices, a consortium of organizations working towards the end of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in the country. Protection International has now formally joined the coalition to further support its critical work. Kenya is heading down a slippery slope towards normalizing youth criminalization, Missing Voices denounces, as the majority of the victims are young men – around 80% were 35 or younger – living in informally controlled zones of the country, where the law does not seem to apply.
The report also tells the stories of those who have survived the victims of police killings and have been struggling for years for justice for their loved ones who died at the hands of police violence. The case of Evans Njoroge, for example, a student leader from Meru University who was killed on 27th February 2018, is still slowly dragging along in court. Victims and their families have a right to timely due process.
With little attention or debate concerning this issue in the national media, Missing Voices decided to mark the report’s launch and commemorate the victims of police killings and enforced disappearances by spreading roses in Nairobi.
Read the full statement here
