US Condemns Kenyan Police for Attacking Anti-Femicide Protesters
The United States has condemned the Kenyan National Police Service (NPS) over an incident on December 10, where anti-femicide protesters were allegedly attacked by police officers.
In a statement released on Wednesday, December 11, the US Embassy in Kenya accused police officers of violating the Kenyan Constitution’s protections for the right to peaceful demonstrations.
US Ambassador to Kenya Marc Dillard expressed his disappointment over the actions of the Kenyan security forces, calling the incident both regrettable and alarming.
Dillard also reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to backing efforts by various stakeholders to combat the growing femicide cases in Kenya and to protect human rights.
“It is regrettable and concerning to witness police action against Kenyans exercising their constitutional rights to assemble and protest peacefully,” the statement read.
On International Human Rights Day and every day, the United States stands by initiatives to end femicide and safeguard the human rights of all individuals, Dillard added.
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The Ambassador’s remarks came in response to a statement from the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and other groups, including Amnesty Kenya, who raised concerns about the harsh treatment of anti-femicide demonstrators by alleged police officers in Nairobi.
In a joint statement issued on Tuesday, December 10, the advocacy groups condemned the police officers’ violent actions against the peaceful protesters, most of whom were women.
The organizations criticized the police’s violent tactics, including arrests, calling them a direct assault on Kenya’s democratic principles and citizens’ human rights.
“The excessive use of force and unjust arrests violate both national and international human rights laws and send a chilling message to those advocating for justice and accountability,” said part of the statement from the groups.
“These actions erode the rule of law and perpetuate impunity for violence against women. We strongly condemn the deployment of teargas against unarmed citizens and the detention of peaceful protesters.”
From November 25 to December 10, the global community observes 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a campaign aimed at raising awareness and mobilizing efforts to end all forms of violence against women and girls.
US Condemns Kenyan Police for Attacking Anti-Femicide Protesters
