Civil society groups demand closure of open quarries after Kware bodies' discovery

The Police Reforms Working Group Kenya and Civic Freedoms Forum (CFF) have ordered the immediate closure of all open quarries across the country following the discovery of close to several dismembered bodies at an abandoned quarry in Kware area, Embakasi South in Nairobi County.

Several bodies wrapped in sacks had been recovered from the quarry, which is opposite a police station and was being used as a dumpsite, as of Saturday evening.

Asking the State to speedily investigate and determine the circumstances surrounding the killings and arrest those culpable, the organisations asked the National Construction Authority to enforce a ban on the open quarries to avert similar incidents in the future.

They termed the killings a grave violation of human rights which raised serious concerns about the rule of the law and state of security in the country.

In a joint press release, they further demanded that an autopsy on the bodies be done at a central location and in the presence of independent observers to help unravel the truth behind the heinous acts.

"We urge the government to allow for and initiate swift comprehensive investigations into these killings," the press release read in part.

Acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja is expected to address the media on Sunday over the discovery of the bodies.

Demand for justice

Having happened at a time when the country continues to witness a surge in cases of mysterious disappearances and abductions which police have been accused of, the organisations said there was an urgent need for justice to the victims and their families.

They further called for the establishment of a mechanism for evidence sharing and management between the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and the law enforcement agencies to expedite the probe into cases of enforced disappearances and deaths allegedly committed by police officers.

"Ensuring accountability within the police force is vital to restoring public trust and upholding justice," they said, calling for the establishment of a national missing persons database to help in follow-ups.

An appeal for Kenyans to publicise human rights violations and share information on missing, abducted or deceased victims for legal action was also made.

President William Ruto on Saturday assured Kenyans that those behind the mysterious killings in Nairobi and other parts of the country would be held to account.

"There is no justification for any Kenyan to lose life. We are a democratic country guided by the rule of the law," Ruto said during the annual Kaptagat forest tree planting celebrations in Elgeyo-Marakwet County.