President William Ruto has commanded the immediate release of all demonstrators wrongfully detained during the anti-government demonstrations, along with the dismissal of all accusations against them.
Ruto stated during a state address at the State House on Wednesday that the nation must function within the bounds of the law and that innocent protesters should not be apprehended.
“I urge the criminal justice agencies to take effective measures and ensure that people who may have innocently caught up on the wrong side of things and those not implicated in crime be released and charges against them withdrawn,” he said.
Ruto went on to say that the action will free up security forces’ time and resources to look into more severe criminal cases involving protesters who caused havoc.
In addition, Ruto denounced the use of deadly force by police on demonstrators and demanded an expeditious probe into the perpetrators of the observed fatalities.
“I call on the NPS to use its mandate responsibly, professionally and effectively in compliance with the constitution with a view to promoting national objectives of Article 238,239 and 244 of our constitution. All breaches and violations by police officers must be handled expeditiously through due process to give Kenyans a police service that upholds the highest standards of integrity,” noted Ruto
The Head of State further declared that he will change the evidence and witness protection statutes to expedite the achievement of these objectives in response to appeals to preserve integrity in governance and fight corruption.
“I will be proposing amendments to the evidence act and the criminal procedure code among other necessary legislative amendments to all statutes relating to corruption to expedite investigations and prosecution of corruption cases and provide for their conclusion within 6 months,” said Ruto.
Since the start of the protests against the financial bill on June 18, 2024, 50 people have died around Kenya, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
In addition, 682 people were “arbitrarily arrested,” according to KNHCR, while 59 people were allegedly kidnapped by police and reported missing since the start of the protests.
After spending the night in police custody, over 100 individuals who had been detained during the protests on July 16 in the capital were officially charged and later released by a court.
Lawyer James wa Njeri stated that all 109 of the accused were freed on a Ksh. 500 cash bond, with the charge against each of them being “drunk and disorderly.”
