Police Officers Who Manhandled Activist Hanifa Safia During Protests Sued
The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has escalated its campaign against police brutality by suing the officers involved in the violent crackdown on protesters earlier this year.
The lawsuit, filed in the High Court, specifically targets several police officers accused of gross misconduct during the nationwide anti-government protests in June 2024.
The LSK’s legal action is centered on Sergeant Martin Mbae Kithinji, who is accused of manhandling reporter and activist Hanifa Safia Adan.
On June 18, 2024, Kithinji detained Adan near the Kenya National Archives while dressed in civilian clothes and allegedly acting outside of his official capacity.
According to the lawsuit, Kithinji violated Adan’s constitutional rights, particularly during a peaceful protest in which she was unlawfully “arrested.”
Why would this cop do this to Hanifa ? Can kenyans help identify him . ? #FreeHanifa . By the way why are kk bloggers pushing the hashtag " Mama Mboga Wins " yet it's a lie ? 🚨 Boniface mwangi #OccupyParliament pic.twitter.com/4WTXapmAes
— Sholla Ard 🇰🇪 (@sholard_mancity) June 18, 2024
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, at least 61 people were killed during the protests. The police have been accused of using excessive force.
According to reports, officers used live ammunition against largely peaceful demonstrators, which was condemned by both local and international human rights organisations.
The LSK’s lawsuit goes beyond Kithinji and includes several other high-ranking police officers.
The suit also names Nairobi Regional Police Commander Adamson Bungei, Corporal Isiah Ndumba Murangiri, and OCS Moses Shikuku of the Nairobi Central Police Station.
They are accused of failing to prevent or address their subordinates’ excessive use of force, as well as allowing non-uniformed officers to participate in the violent suppression of protests.
Corporal Murangiri is accused of violating the constitution and the National Police Service’s (NPS) Standing Orders.
The LSK accuses him of using excessive force and causing harm to people exercising their right to protest.
Bungei and Shikuku are being held accountable for deploying plainclothes officers who, according to the LSK, acted with impunity and injured protesters.
Under the doctrine of command responsibility, Bungei and Shikuku are held accountable for the actions of these officers.
Sergeant Kithinji’s case reflects broader concerns about police accountability and transparency.
The LSK claims that deploying officers in civilian clothing facilitated brutal tactics against demonstrators while avoiding identification.
The LSK’s legal action is part of a larger effort to address police excesses and prevent future incidents.
On July 31, 2024, the organization petitioned the High Court for orders to stop police abuses, including the abduction of people suspected of organizing protests.
Police Officers Who Manhandled Activist Hanifa Safia During Protests Sued
