Renowned lawyer Paul Muite has urged the government to investigate claims of extrajudicial killings linked to the police.
Speaking during the burial of slain lawyer Willie Kimani on Saturday in Kikuyu, Muite said the government has to assure Kenyans of their security as public trust in the police has diminished.
“The government should stamp its authority and get rid of police officers who take part in extrajudicial killings,” he said.
Muite also asked the government to consider arming lawyers and urged lawyers not to be intimidated and instead continue to champion the rights of Kenyans.
At the same time, three MPs from Kiambu said they will prepare a Bill to have police officers vetted every three months.
Kimani Ichung'wa (Kikuyu), Jude Njomo (Kiambu) and Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete) said that the move will help get rid of police officers who engage in criminal activities.
They also want a public inquiry set up to investigate the killing of lawyer Willie Kimani, his client and driver.
Ichung'wa said that some police officers were openly taking part in crime noting that instances of young people mysteriously disappearing in the constituency were rising.
He claimed that four young people have mysteriously disappeared in the last one year and asked the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) chairman Johnston Kavuludi to expedite reforms in the force.
Already four police officers are in custody over the killing and will be arraigned in court once investigation is complete.
Law Society of Kenya (LSK) Chairman Isaac Okero called on the government to guarantee security of lawyers in the country claiming that lawyers are being targeted and intimidated in their line of duty.
He observed that several lawyers who went missing in the past have up today not found.
“Several of our members have been fallen in mysterious ways and up to day we have no information of what happened,” he said.
The bodies of lawyer Willie Kimani, his client Josphat Mwendwa and driver Joseph Muiruri were reported missing before their bodies were found dumped at Ol Donyo Sabuk River. This was one week after they were reported missing after attending a court session at Mavoko Law Courts.
Their killing has been condemned by leaders and human rights activists with calls to have Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to resign for allegedly failing to guarantee security of Kenyans.
Their killing has been condemned by leaders and human rights activists with calls to have Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to resign for allegedly failing to guarantee security of Kenyans.