First night of terror as police enforce curfew

Many Kenyans across the country who violated the curfew were whipped and some had guns pointed at them.

The 7pm to 5am curfew went into effect on Friday night.

Photos and videos have gone viral showing police using rungus and whips to 'discipline' those on the road after 7 pm.

In Mombasa, residents were harassed and whipped by police as early as 4pm, two hours to the curfew time.

In a video that has sparked criticism over police brutality, police and the  NYS are seen ordering women to lie down in water after being teargassed.

At the Likoni Ferry Crossing Channel, people were rounded up, roughed up and ordered to lie down.

In another video, journalists who tried to film the violence were not spared, some were assaulted by police though journalists and media houses are listed among those who are not affected by the curfew.

In Nairobi, many residents were stranded in the CBD after matatus to various routes closed shop by 5 pm.

Many commuters waited in long queues, hoping that a miracle would get them home on time.

They were whipped and scattered. Women screamed for help.

Some people were forced to trek home, dodging police and security forces.

This brutality prompted a number of political leaders to denounce the violence. They said it would spread the coronavirus rather than contain it.

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho said he was appalled by the way security agencies had treated the situation.

"Let us be human, not brutal. my people need help and not beating. They said 7 pm but why are they beating innocent people at 4pm and to make it worse, they were waiting on a queue," he said.

Joho added, "I am not happy at all, we can do better than this. This is not our doing, no one wanted to be here, it is the crisis that has put us in this situation and as Kenyans we are trying hard to adjust."

His sentiments were echoed by Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen who said, "Every law an /directive is meant to cure a particular kind of mischief. The curfew is meant to curb the spread of Covid-19, not to torture Kenyans.

"The security managers are behaving as though they have a grudge against Kenyans and are using Covid-19 as an excuse for revenge. This must stop forthwith."

Narc leader Martha Karua said, "Terrorising commuters at the Likoni Gerry with tear gas and beatings is unacceptable. The inadequacy of the available mode of transport rests squarely on the government. Let's hope no arrests will be made for lateness where public transport is clearly the issue."

Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika said, "This is the height of madness. Unfortunately, common sense is no longer common anymore. Are we not supposed to be enforcing social distancing? This does more harm than good."

Linus Kaikai said, "Unacceptable violence against journalists. The curfew may be open season for officers of the National Police  but  Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai must remember three things; 1. The Constitution has NOT been suspended. 2. Curfews end, accountability does not. 3. It’s a VIRUS."

President of the Editors Guild Churchill Otieno said it was shocking to see how police had resorted to brutalising journalists in the full glare of the public.

Otieno said such officers should immediately be disarmed and prosecuted in a court of law.

(Edited by V. Graham)