Haki Africa plans major anti-corruption demos at Coast

Members of the public during demonstrations over the Sh5.3 billion Health ministry scandal outside Afya House in Nairobi, November 2, 2016. /FILE
Members of the public during demonstrations over the Sh5.3 billion Health ministry scandal outside Afya House in Nairobi, November 2, 2016. /FILE

Haki Africa is planning a mega protest in Coastal towns over rampant runaway corruption in the country.

They lobby group will meet with its partners and stakeholders before announcing the exact days of the demo.

The group’s executive director Hussein Khalid condemned brutal treatment meted on Kenyan protesters in the past.

He said that citizens have rights to storm streets to demand accountability and justice, further warning police against clobbering demonstrators in their planned protests.

"Haki Africa strongly condemns the brutal treatment of protesters who were peacefully demonstrating in Nairobi against corruption on Thursday," he said.

On Thursday, anti-graft demonstrations in the country’s capital city turned violent when riot police shot at a

group of journalists and protesters.

Scores were injured and dozen arrested and later released.

"Police's actions are not only unconstitutional but embarrassing to the country - for them to disperse, arrest and injure people protesting against corruption," Khalid said.

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Pressure is mounting for Independent Police Oversight Authority to crack whip on errant officers who Khalid said have been conducting themselves in an unconstitutional manner.

"We demand the arrest of all police officers who were involved in the violation of the right of Kenyans to protest as guaranteed by article 37 of the Constitution," Khalid said.

The lobby group said Coast demos will be peaceful, noting that Kenyans must unite and fight corruption.

Activist Boniface Mwangi led protests in Nairobi to press Uhuru to either act on the runaway corruption that has plagued Kenya or resign.

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The protest comes in the wake of a leaked interim internal report audit querying how Sh5.2 billion was spent.

But Health CS Cleopa Mailu said the amount in question was Sh3.1 billion and was properly used.

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