HARASSMENT, INTIMIDATION, ABUSE OF OFFICE BY POLICE OFFICERS  IN KILIFI COUNTY

The Defenders Coalition condemns the unalwful disruption of Center for Justice Governance and Environmental Action’s (CJEA) community engagement meeting by police officers in Uyombo community, Kilifi County.

According to reports, this concerning incident occurred on 21 September 2023 when the community was invited upon by the Assistant County Commissioner (ACC) to attend a meeting on the same day as the community engagement session. Despite CJEAs  willingness to cooperate, the ACC made threatening remarks and subsequently ordered a violent police dispersal of CJEA’s activity.

This heavy-handed response, which included the removal of equipment and intimidation,  is a direct attack on the civil society’s legitimate activities to mobilize communities to stand up for promotion and protection of their rights.

We are concerned that this gross violation of fundamental civil freedoms comes at a time when the Center for Justice Governance and Environmental Action is litigating on behalf of over 3,000 residents of Owino Uhuru in Mombasa, who suffered gross human. Rights abuses following the operations of a lead battery recycling factory in the residence exposing them to numerous health hazards.

We categorically denounce this illegal, arbitrary, and abuse of power action by the security unit.

Defenders Coalition stands firm in our commitment to defending civil liberties, justice, and environmental rights.