KNCHR: 54 killed, 150 injured during election period
Fifty four people were killed between August and October during this year’s electioneering period, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has said.
An additional 150 people, among them children and police officers, were also injured according to the human rights commission.
The KNHCR Chairperson Kagwiria Mbogori said majority of the casualties were killed during protests against the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission organised by National Super Alliance leaders in the lead up to the repeat October 26 presidential poll.
While faulting the police on the use of excessive force on protesters during the anti-IEBC protests, Ms Mbogori called on the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinett to instruct his officers to use firearms appropriately.
The commission further recorded cases of harassment of IEBC officials in Kisumu and Homa Bay counties and condemned the blocking of the repeat presidential election in the 25 constituencies and hurling of stones by a section of NASA supporters.
“It was against the law for civilians to hurl stones at the police. This was hooliganism,” said Ms Mbogori.
The commission, however ,applauded the electoral body for improving most of its operations in the repeat presidential election as compared to the August 8th poll.
“We noted that most polling stations were opened on time and all equipment was available. We noted a lot of improvement by IEBC and we hope they will continue in the same vein,” said Ms Mbogori.
The commission also called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to engage in a dialogue with opposition leader Raila Odinga in a bid to ease the current political tension in the country.
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