Kenya writes to the UK demanding justice over assault of Wycliff Cox by police

Kenya has written to the United Kingdom (UK) demanding justice over assault of a Kenyan national by police officers in Colchester, Essex.

The assault incident was captured in an undated video that emerged on social media last week sparking outrage and at the same adding fuel to the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement against racism.

In the four-minute clip, at least six UK police officers are seen assaulting a Kenyan identified as Wycliff Cox as they seek to arrest him over alleged breach of bail terms.

The officers are captured pinning Wycliff’s head to the ground while holding his neck, with his family members watching and his mother being heard begging: “Don’t kill my son.”

With his face bleeding, hands and legs tied, Wycliff, who is reported to be mentally ill, is carried away by the officers and hounded into a waiting vehicle.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Kenya High Commission in the United Kingdom called for action against the officers over “use of unnecessary force on the unarmed man.”

“The Kenya High Commission in the United Kingdom has received a disturbing video that has been making rounds on social media where police officers in Colchester, Essex are seen to assault a Kenyan national, Mr. Wycliff Cox,” reads the statement.

“The High Commission has already communicated with the UK Government raising the Government of Kenya’s concerns on the unnecessary force on an unarmed man.”

The High Commission further stated that it has been in constant communication with the family and assured them of the Government’s support as they seek justice.

“The Government of Kenya is keen that the case that was reported to the UK authorities in late September 2020 be thoroughly investigated so that justice is seen to be done, and also that all involved be held to account for their actions according to UK police conduct and regulations,” added the Kenya High Commission in the UK.