At least 35 civilians have been fatally shot by the police in Kenya this month during protests over new taxes and the escalating cost of living.
Douglas Kalasinga, a 27-year-old individual, is believed to be one of the victims. His relatives assert that he was shot while he was at work, pushing a handcart filled with water cans and not partaking in the demonstrations.
Rasto Sakulo, one of Kalasinga’s relatives, voiced their demand for action to be taken against the police officer who indiscriminately fired the shots. He questioned the motive behind shooting at people who were merely going about their business, including those carrying water. He emphasized that encounters with the police should offer assistance rather than posing a threat of violence.
President William Ruto initially commended the police for maintaining peace during the protests, but he later cautioned against extrajudicial killings, asserting that public anarchy would not be tolerated.
Ruto’s administration accused the opposition of inciting chaos and reported charging over 300 individuals this week alone for crimes such as looting, property destruction, and assaulting police. However, many Kenyans accuse the government of exacerbating the situation with taxes on fuel and essentials, leading to soaring food costs.
Emannuel Sikuku, a friend of Kalasinga, contended that the police should not resort to shooting people but instead arrest suspects and conduct proper investigations. He highlighted the dire circumstances that people are facing, struggling to survive and suffering from hunger and high living expenses. He stressed that peaceful demonstrations should not result in unfair profiling.
Human rights organisations expressed concern over the police killings, arbitrary arrests, and detentions reported during the protests. They called for the policing watchdog to thoroughly investigate and prosecute any officers found guilty of misconduct.
