- The concerns follow the arrest of Nyaguti on Friday night from his home in Otonglo area within Kisumu West sub-county for alleged possession of bhang.
- The activists termed the arrest as malicious, arbitrary and well-choreographed to frame Nyaguti.
Image: MAURICE ALAL
Human rights defenders in Kisumu have condemned what they termed as police intimidation.
They want Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai to reign in rogue officers.
Led by Kisumu City Residents Voice chairman Audi Ogada, the human rights defenders said they are being targeted, profiled and harassed by some police officers in the region for fighting for citizens.
Ogada was accompanied Boniface Akatch, John Obure, Chris Owalla and Michael Otieno Nyaguti of Magnam Environmental Network at a press briefing on Saturday.
He said they would not relent in championing the rights of Kenyans.
The concerns follow the arrest of Nyaguti on Friday night from his home in Otonglo area within Kisumu West sub-county for alleged possession of bhang.
Nyaguti, who was taken to Kisumu Central police station, was later released on bond after the intervention of the activists.
The activists termed the arrest as malicious, arbitrary and well-choreographed to frame Nyaguti of an offense he knows nothing about.
“We are convinced that the arrest is purely an act of intimidation against our colleague to deter him from pursuing matters of public interest he has been following up in the court,” Ogada said.
He said police should do their work professionally and in accordance with the Constitution of Kenya 2010 and the National Police Service Act.
“I want to urge the constitutional offices and police that they ensure that all citizens are fully protected as provided for in the law,” he said.
In the recent past, Akatch said some activists have been arrested and charged maliciously with offences including robbery with violence while others were detained unlawfully.
He pointed out that their work is not criminal, saying criminalisation of the work of human rights defenders should not be tolerated.
“We are only there to seek justice for victims and therefore police must respect our work. They must stop profiling us and making malicious arrests,” Akatch said.
He said they will not be cowed even if it means losing their lives.
“We are ready to die for championing for peace and rights to ensure public office bearers uphold and defend the Constitution,” Akatch said.
Owalla urged the government to protect human rights defenders and to let them perform their duties without any form of interference.
“As human rights defenders, we are being intimidated and we are appealing to the IGP to protect us,” he said.
Nyaguti said police visited his home on claims that he was engaging in an illegal business, an allegation he denied.
“I have been strongly fighting illicit brews and drugs in my area. How come now I am the one being targeted and framed for something I don’t know?” he said.
Nyaguti said he was taken to Kisumu Central police station on Friday night and released on a cash bail of Sh 30,000.
He will appear before a Kisumu court on Monday.
“I want to state categorically that I have not seen the bhang itself and it was not shown to me. I am ready to go to court and defend myself,” Nyaguti said.
Edited by Henry Makori