Lawyers call for probe into Githurai killings

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Anti-Finance Bill 2024 protestors along Parliament Road, Nairobi on June 25, 2024. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is now calling for an independent investigation on the ‘massacre’ meted on Githurai, Kiambu County residents on Tuesday night, following reports that police shot and killed an unknown number of the local residents.

Addressing the press in Nairobi, the LSK President Faith Odhiambo urged the international community to head the investigations stating that human rights were violated and a number of the residents injured.

"I dare ask, is Githurai a protected area? is it an area where members of the public should not stay? Why was there a massacre where people were living peacefully? We demand answers," she stated.

At the same time, the Society castigated the government for deploying the Kenya Defence Forces to quell the fracas stating that Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula contravened the law.

"The government's action is unconstitutional and therefore illegal," Odhiambo said.

Her statement came even as police remain mum over the alleged killings with the locals claiming that police went on a shooting spree killing and injuring people who were minding their own businesses.

In a quick rejoinder, the police stated that 20 of their officers were injured after a group of about 6,000 youths attacked them and lit a bonfire on Thika Road.

"As they were withdrawing they blocked the road with an electric pole and consequently cut off the police Land Cruiser belonging to Mwiki police station from the convoy and completely burned it down and vandalised its remains," an OB report seen by The Standard read in part.

In the same breath, the Kenya Human Rights Commission issued a statement saying that at least 30 people were shot dead in Githurai on Tuesday, and 100 are nursing gunshot wounds.