Protests in Embu, Bungoma over killing of lawyer Willie Kimani, 2 others

Normal Business operations were paralysed in Embu Town after Lawyers, Members of the Embu County Assembly, Taxi and boda boda operators took to the streets to protest the brutal killing of lawyer Willie Kimani, his client and a taxi driver.

The protesters walked from the Embu Law Courts blocking the busy Nairobi-Meru highway for more than two hours as they sang and called for justice to be done in the defense of those who were murdered brutally.

LSK council Member David Njoroge said they were protesting in solidarity with other Kenyans to condemn the brutal killing of the three and other Kenyans who have been losing their lives in the hands of police.

He said that they swore to protect the constitution passed overwhelmingly by all Kenyans, adding that they will not let the matter to be forgotten.

Lawyer Mogussu Obondi said that the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, and Interior CS Joseph Nkaissery should have resigned immediately after the matter came up saying that the two have been burying their heads in the sand as extrajudicial killings go on.

Runyenjes Central MCA Steve Simba who was among the MCAs who joined the protects called for the National Government to stipulate the roles of the administration police officers who he said have been terrorising residents all over the country instead of protecting them.

He recalled that administration police used to only deal with administrative issues but nowadays they are brutalising motorists on the roads and even killing people.

Martin Muchira, the Chairman of the Embu Boda boda operators, narrated how they have been suffering in the hands of rogue Administration Police officers in the pretence of keeping law and order.

“If they feel the AP salary is not enough, they should go back to school and become traffic officers, or leave the police job and become boda boda operators where they will be welcome provided they have licenses,” he said.

Elsewhere, Bungoma County Assembly Speaker John Makali Wednesday joined his fellow lawyers to petition the resignation of the inspector general of police Joshua Boinet, CS Joseph Nkaisery and AP commander Samuel Arachi over the killings of lawyer Willy Mwangi his tax driver and their client.

The lawyers staged a peaceful demonstration across the main streets of Bungoma Town before heading to the county police commandant Charles Munyoli’s office to give their petition.

The advocates drawn from all the nine constituencies across the county said it was unfortunate that the three were many Kenyans, particularly young males of low income and Muslims, reported missing or killed following arrest by members of various departments and specialised units of the national police service.

Bungoma Law Society of Kenya branch chairman, Amos Makokha, said the brutal murder of lawyer Willy Kimani, his client Josphat Mwendwa and Joseph Muiruri shows abuse of police powers.

Makohha said that as lawyers they want the establishment of a human rights desk at every police station across the country.

“We are demanding for development in conjunction with the law society of Kenya of rules of engagement when police are dealing with advocates in the course of their duty,” he said.

Makokha added that they are also demanding for the immediate closure of all ungazetted police cells across the country.

Speaker John Makli asked the government to speed up the investigations into the killings of a prominent Bungoma lawyer, Peter Wanyama, who was killed during the Bungoma Senatorial by-election.

Cheptai Namisi contributed to this story