Raila condemns police brutality on journalists during Nane Nane protests

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has come out to condemn police actions during Thursday's Nane Nane protests that saw journalists assaulted and protesters arrested in numbers, terming them a direct violation of the rights enshrined in the constitution.

In a statement released Saturday morning, Odinga reiterated that the right to peaceful assembly, the freedom of expression and the protection of journalists are fundamental pillars of the country's democracy, 'pillars that we have fought long and hard to establish and must continue to protect.'

"It is with deep concern that I learned of the arbitrary arrests, detentions and excessive use of force by the police, which led to the harassment of peaceful protesters and journalists including a member of the international press, Larry Madowo of CNN," the opposition leader said.

During Thursday's Nane Nane protests a total of 174 protesters were arrested across the country including 126 in Nairobi, 22 in Kitengela, 26 at Emali in Makueni county.

Acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli claimed that the protests were peaceful even though the police did not give room for protesters to assemble, in Nairobi, all attempts to regroup were thwarted by brutal use of force against protesters by the police who were preventing access to the Central Business District.

"The National Police Service would like to thank all law-abiding Kenyans for preserving peace and maintaining law and order across the country today and protesters for doing so peaceably. Despite failure by conveners of today's demonstrations to notify the police of the intention to hold the demonstration, we ensured adequate deployment of security personnel and cautioned members of the public to avoid crowded areas that were likely to turn riotous," the Deputy Inspector General of Police added.

Contrary to court orders barring against the use of force and tear gas during the protests, the police used the same to disperse them.

"I want to make it clear that I stand with the people in their quest for justice, freedom and the full realization of their rights. I strongly condemn the actions taken by the police yesterday and call upon the relevant authorities to respect the constitutional rights of all Kenyans, I also urge the immediate release of those who were unjustly detained and a thorough investigation into the misconduct of the officers involved," added Odinga.

His plea for the release of the persons held came a little late, as an intervention by the Law Society of Kenya's members secured the release of 87 protesters who were arraigned at the Nairobi City court in Nairobi and released on a cash bail of Sh500.