Civil society condemns police brutality against UoN students

Civil society condemns police brutality against UoN students

Civil Society groups are now calling on the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Keriako Tobiko to take action on alleged reports of police brutality against University of Nairobi students.

The groups, led by Independent Medico Legal Unit Executive Director Peter Kiama, have criticized the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett for quickly dismissing the viral video which showed anti-riot police officers allegedly assaulting students said to be from the University of Nairobi.

Kiama says the police boss should have instead called for a probe on the claims.

While addressing the media in Nairobi, the group claimed that instead of quelling the riots that had erupted following the disputed re-election of SONU Chairman Babu Owino, the anti-riot officers sexually and physically assaulted the students and destroyed property.

On Wednesday, FIDA Kenya also condemned the alleged sexual violence that was meted upon female University of Nairobi students during the riots.

In a statement to newsrooms, FIDA expressed their disappointment at the manner in which security forces handled the situation, saying female students were not participating in the riots and that security forces entering their hostels where they sought refuge was “a clear indication of purposed atrocities by the GSU.”

“We are informed that female students were raped and sexually assaulted, their personal property including mobile phones, money and laptops were also stolen from them. GSU Officers have perfected their act of looting and robbing from innocent citizens without any action being taken. This practice must be stopped. By no means were the various forms applied a way of calming the riots. This is a continuous confirmation that women are used as tools of war or conflict,” read the statement in part.

FIDA further expressed their disappointment with at the university’s administration silence on the matter.

The organisation also called on the office of the Director of Public Prosecution and the Inspector General of the Police to ensure immediate action is taken against the perpetrators.

It  further called upon the University Administration to put in place mechanisms to ensure that such incidents are not repeated and ensure the safety and security of all students under their care.

The University of Nairobi was on Tuesday afternoon closed indefinitely following the riots after a resolution was reached by a special Senate meeting.

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UoN Babu Owino re-election police brutality strike students riots Civil societies

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