As the global movement on Black Lives Matters continues to spark conversations on systemic injustices brought about by racism, the focus has shifted to Kenya and how the police force reacts to protests by different classes of people.
The comparison first brought to the attention of many by Activist Boniface Mwangi, showed just how the police responded to two separate protests- one outside the US Embassy in Gigiri, Nairobi and the other by Middle to low-income residents of Mathare against police brutality.
In the protests outside the US Embassy held on June 2, picketers came out to support the global 'Black Lives Matter' movement following the death of an African-American man, George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody.
The dozens of demonstrators, both Americans and Kenyans, carried banners as they chanted calling for accountability from the US embassy in law enforcement both in the country and abroad.
Under the watchful eye of the guards, the demonstrators carried on with their picketing with some who couldn't walk for long bringing along lawn chairs to comfortably carry on with the protest. A dog named Skoot donned a placard written 'Black lives matter'.
After the demonstrations, they nationals took their equipment and headed home.
In contrast, activists who led peaceful protests over Mathare, Huruma and Dandora police brutality victims on June 9, were teargassed as they snaked their way to Parliament.
Two protesters were arrested in the clash, according to Boniface Mwangi.
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A Twitter user, Makandi Connie, noted, "In Kenya, it is clear that the 'haves' enjoy rights and freedoms, while the 'have-nots' got none. We also despise our own and embrace anything foreign. It is evident that we are now dancing to the tune of neocolonialists since our govt has turned our nation into a beggar."
Alex Aburi added, "Kenyan Police have always loathed their fellow countrymen. Very reflective of who they work for... the elite, not the taxpayer who employs them."
"It’s classism. Here we are judged by our class. The moment police realize you aren’t as poor as you look, they back down. They also associate whites as being a higher class than black people (racism). I can’t even look or be poor in my birth country," A user by the name Hottensiah stated.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority on June 6, assured that those police officers who break the law while enforcing curfew during the Covid-19 pandemic will be held accountable individually.
While speaking at the Kenya School of Government, IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori stated that, "Despite the challenges posed by the new security regulations meant to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, IPOA has continued to receive complaints. All our investigations will be impartial and independent and we shall address all cases of police brutality and excesses,” she stated.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji revealed that he had received 171 case files from IPOA of officer misconduct and had sent more than 80 of them to court for prosecutions.
On his part, Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai stated that the National Police Service did not condone rogue behavior and action would be taken against officers who operate outside the provisions of the law.
