Africans Rising for Unity, Justice, Peace, and Dignity has condemned police officers for what they termed as using excessive force towards protesters during picketing.
In a statement, Africans Rising claimed police force resulted in several death and injuries of protesters in demonstrations called by Azimio.
"We take note of an emerging trend where the arrival of anti-riot police during these protests result in violence, bitter confrontation with demonstrators, injuries, and loss of lives," the commission noted.
They also condemned the teargassing of over 50 pupils in Kihumbuini Primary School in Kangemi, Nairobi last week adding that such barbaric acts on children are unacceptable and must be denounced by all.
"We wish to remind the Kenyan government of its primary responsibility to respect and protect the rights of the people including children at all times as guaranteed by the Constitution and International Conventions of the Rights of the Child."
They further called upon the relevant authorities to conduct thorough investigations into all the incidents of alleged police brutality.
"Every effort must be made to hold those responsible either directly or indirectly into account," the commission said.
The commission urged the Kenyan authorities to desist from banning demonstrations as it is a right enshrined in the constitution and allows people to exercise their fundamental right to peaceful assembly.
"The right to protest is guaranteed under Article 37 of Kenya's 2010 constitution and states that "every person has the right, peacefully and unarmed, to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities," they said.
They called on Kenya Kwanza and Azimio La Umoja parties to de-escalate the situation by toning down on the rhetoric to safeguard the peace and stability of the country.
They added that all who were arrested during protests should be released immediately.
"Africans Rising calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arbitrarily arrested and detained for protesting and exercising their rights to freedom of assembly and expression," they said.
