Police brutality against civilians is unacceptable

Reports by the Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNHRC) that 24 protesters had been killed in clashes with security forces after the declaration of the presidential election results last Friday create a sad picture in a democratic society where protection of human rights is expected to reign supreme.

The same reports indicate that most of victims were mowed down by police gunfire. Whereas we may not know why the police acted in such a manner, there is no justification to end anyone's life prematurely since there are other avenues to apprehend culprits.

Patriotic Kenyans must condemn such acts of police brutality. The Government has invested heavily in procuring anti-demonstrations gadgets using tax payers resources and it, therefore, beats logic why the police resort to archaic ways of using live ammunition on fellow Kenyans.

The officers who break the law must not tarnish the good name of other law abiding police. Security agents should note that killing demonstrators has always been counterproductive because it fuels the anger leading to more deaths.

The Government should bear in mind that victims of police brutality are not just mere statistics, but are sons and daughters, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters of other Kenyans who are greatly affected by the loss.

This time around, renegade police officers must be brought to book to serve as a warning to others that could attempt such acts of lawlessness.