An anti-riot police officer kicks a man during last year’s anti-IEBC protests. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
The African Centre Against Torture has urged the government to compensate victims of police brutality.The organisation's director David Koros also urged the Police Service Commission to investigate the killings, brutality and shootings witnessed during the anti-IEBC protests that were called by opposition leaders led by NASA presidential candidate Raila Odinga to push for reforms in the electoral body.Koros argued that innocent people were killed and injured by police officers during the protests."The use of excessive force against protesters is disturbing. Officers involved should be sacked and punished. The victims should be compensated by the State and their medical bills cleared,” said Koros.He said the role of the police is to protect Kenyans and not to injure and kill them."Police have a duty to protect life. The attacks on protesters are meant to intimidate them yet they are enjoying their constitutional rights,” he said."Every Kenyan has a right to hold peaceful demonstrations. Police officers should not be used by the government to intimidate attack, kill and injure demonstrators. Individuals who break the law during protests should be arrested and charged in court,” he added.