Law Society of Kenya President Nelson Havi wrote to Police Inspector General Hillary Mutymbai regarding a suspect who was manhandled by officers in Nakuru County.
In the letter dated May 28, Havi stated that immediate disciplinary action should be taken against a police officer who was recorded on a video dragging a suspect by his genitals. The said police officers was in the company of two others who also took part in the arrest of the suspect.
The suspect who was identified as Mark Cladie Oreyo, got arrested for not wearing a mask in public. He was later taken to Nakuru Central Police Station and got released from custody after allegedly paying Kshs. 5,000 to the police officers.
“Immediate disciplinary action including interdiction should be taken against the three policemen. It will be appreciated if your action and response is made and received by us within seven days from the date of this letter,” Havi demanded.
He also disclosed that the victim had gone 'underground', fearing for his life.
“Steps should be taken to protect him from possible harm from the three police officers or their agents. We will hold your officers and you personally responsible should the safety of the victim be interfered with in any way,” the LSK president added.
Havi also requested IG Mutyambai to disclose the identities of the police officers to the Law Society of Kenya, Director of Public Prosecutions as well as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
“Cases abound where suspects have been killed in police custody with postmortem reports indicating mutilation of the genitals.
It is very disturbing that these incidences have been the order of the day for anyone arrested by the police,” the law society criticised.
Havi added that there can be no justification whatsoever for the use of unreasonable force, especially targeted at a suspect’s reproductive organs.
