Rights bodies want commission formed to probe extrajudicial killings

Human rights bodies are now appealing to President Uhuru Kenyatta to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate cases of extrajudicial killings and bring to book police officers found culpable.

Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) and Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) say out of 672 extrajudicial cases reported between 2013 and this year, only 46 have been taken to court with only five convicted.

KNCHR vice chair, George Morara, has faulted Nairobi County Police boss, Japheth Koome, for supporting officers who shot dead two suspected thugs and gang members in Eastleigh in Nairobi last week.

Morara is demanding action be taken against all officers involved in extrajudicial killings, saying the Eastleigh shooting captured in a viral video violates the constitution and rights of suspects.