Ichung’wah Hits Back: Denounces Wandayi on Police Brutality
On Sunday, July 23, the Majority Leader of the National Assembly, Kimani Ichung’wah, defended the police against allegations that they used excessive force to quell demonstrations in opposition-held counties.
This was in response to a statement by the Minority Leader of the Parliament, Opiyo Wandayi, in which he expressed alarm over the escalation of police atrocities in counties in the former Nyanza region.
Ichung’wah characterized the statements made by the Unguja representative as incitement of the Azimio leadership’s supporters.
“The minority leader’s statement is unfortunate because it attempts to profile a specific community. The Kikuyu representative stated that Kenya Kwanza detests the profiling of any government or public official based on their ethnicity.
The third-term representative praised the police officers who engaged the protestors, stating that they performed a “professional” job.
Various groups, including the church and non-profit organizations, have criticized the government for its actions during the three days of anti-government demonstrations.
The United Nations human rights body has also criticized the government’s response to the Azimio La Umoja Coalition’s demonstrations.
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Reports indicate that at least ten people were shot to death and others were left with gunshot wounds, including an adolescent with nine bullets lodged in his body, despite the government’s assertion that they acted lawfully.
A video that has since been verified shows police officers assaulting residents of the Kisumu neighborhood of Nyalenda, including non-protesters.
The majority leader remarked, “The police have indeed acted with unmatched restraint in the face of massive provocation, severe losses, and injuries to numerous officers who have been attacked.”
Catholic Bishops have also criticized the government for disregarding the cries of Kenyans, arguing that this has led to the current impasse as millions of people’s lives become unbearable.
As the opposition digs in, legislators on the government side have maintained an uncompromising stance. The opposition has called for a new round of demonstrations on July 26.
Ichung’wah defended police officers by stating, “Instances in which police have used live ammunition are consistent with the law and the Constitution when the lives of officers and other civilian populations are in imminent danger while performing their duties professionally.”
Ichung’wah Hits Back: Denounces Wandayi on Police Brutality
