Brother of Gen Z killed in anti-government protests sues police

 

Anti-riot police officers rough up activists during the anti-government demonstrations aimed at pushing the state to drop the punitive Finance Bill 2024. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The brother of a Kenyan protester killed during anti-government demonstrations is suing the police over his death, his lawyer said Wednesday.

David Chege was shot dead outside parliament on June 25, one of the bloodiest days during widespread rallies against President William Ruto's administration that roiled the East African country for weeks.

At least 60 people have been killed since the demonstrations began in mid-June, according to groups including the government-funded rights commission KNCHR and Amnesty Kenya.

Police have been accused by rights groups of using excessive force against protesters, with officers sometimes firing live bullets.

Lawyer Ochiel Dudley confirmed the petition and told AFP it would be heard in Nairobi High Court on October 16.

"This petition questions the unlawful killing of David Chege by police officers and the delay in investigating the matter," said the lawsuit seen by AFP.

It alleged that police actions were a violation of Chege's right to life and that the respondents had failed to arrest or prosecute the perpetrators.

The respondents include top police officials as well as the police watchdog and the prosecution.

The suit is being brought by Chege's brother, Brian Kinyanjui, and the Independent Medico-Legal Unit.

"There was no reason for the police to kill my brother," Kinyanjui said in an affidavit, adding that the freelance IT expert was "peaceful and unarmed".

The petition calls for the respondents to "punish and prosecute the police officers who killed David Chege", and says the authorities must conclude their investigation and charge those responsible.

It is also seeking a public apology from the attorney general as well as unspecified damages.

The mostly Gen-Z led protests were sparked by proposed tax hikes but quickly spread into nationwide rage against Ruto's administration.

The Kenyan leader has scrambled to dampen the demonstrations, abandoning the tax increases, revamping his cabinet and promising to cut perceived lavish government spending, but further marches are planned for Thursday.