The United Kingdom (UK), through its Minister for Africa Rory Stewart, on Monday released a report criticizing police brutality and killings in Kenya amid election chaos.
In the statement, Mr Stewart condemned the action of the police for violating human rights by using excessive force against protestors.
He further called for the officers involved in brutality to be investigated and prosecuted.
“I urge security forces to exercise maximum restraint and call on protestors who are exercising their constitutional rights to do so peacefully. All allegations of abuses on the part of the security forces should be fully investigated and action taken against security personnel found to have committed violations,” the statement read in part.
[caption caption="Anti-riot police beating a protestor"]
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Some regions in the country have been rocked by violence since the Supreme Court annulled the August 8 presidential election, leading to the death of at least 50 people and others injured, according to human rights groups.
However, on Thursday, Police stated that four people have died and 80 others arrested since the repeat election date.
Mr Stewart assured that the UK government would support Kenyans during this critical time where the country’s democracy was put to test.
“I have followed closely developments in Kenya over the last few days as the elections have taken place. This is an important moment for Kenya and African democracy. The UK stands together with all Kenyans at this critical time,” he conveyed.
He further raised concerns over outbreaks of ethnic and political violence. He urged leaders and politicians to categorically and publicly shun violence and make every effort to ensure their supporters do so as well.
He further called on all Kenyans to come together at this critical moment and participate in an open and transparent national dialogue, to reject the politics of hatred and to resolve divisions.
This statement comes after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared President Uhuru Kenyatta the winner of the disputed repeat presidential election.
[caption caption="Anti-riot police "]
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