Payout families of those killed by cops in demos— senator Faki

Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki has asked the state to compensate the families of those killed by police during the recent anti-government demonstrations.

Faki, an advocate of the High Court, also said the police involved in the killings should be arrested and charged in order for the families of their victims to get justice.

He said most of the victims were shot from the back as they were running away from the police.

More than 16 people have died in the last three weeks from the gunshots and injuries sustained during the anti-government demonstration.

“Why should the police kill innocent people? Breaking protest does not give the police the right to kill,” said Faki on Monday.

He added, “The families of those killed during the demonstrations must be compensated and the police involved apprehended and charged as per the law.”

The senator was speaking outside the Mombasa Law Courts building after representing Kilifi South MP Ken Chonga and Kilifi County Assembly Speaker Teddy Mwambire and two others who had been arrested over last week’s demonstrations.

The four were released on a Sh100,000 bond with a similar amount of surety or an alternative of Sh50,000 cash bail by Mombasa Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku.

Faki condemned the arrest and detention of Azimio leaders and supporters without trial, saying the law is very clear that any arrested person should appear before the court within 24 hours.

Last week, the opposition announced a three-day demonstration beginning Wednesday that saw more protestors lose their lives, allegedly in the hands of police.

“Demonstration is our constitutional right, we shall continue to demonstrate until the day we see that the prices of commodities have gone down, the controversial Finance Act is revoked and people have got their rights,” Faki said.

The second-term Mombasa Senator said the police have a duty to protect lives and properties during the demos, and not kill.

He asked Kenyans to fight for their rights as he accused the government of taking the country back to the 90s era when people were being arrested and detained without trial.

“We have seen that the leadership of the country is taking us back to the era of the 90s where leaders were being arrested and taken to jail without trial, and even when they were taken to court, they were being given tougher bond terms.”

“Kenyans must fight for their rights, we cannot allow our country to be taken back to the dark old days,” he said.

Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo accused the government of going against the law by using excessive force in dispersing peaceful protestors.

The action by police he said, was contravening Article 37 of the constitution which allows for peaceful picketing and demonstration.

The Senate Minority Leader cleared the air that he was not hiding from the demonstration and vowed that he was not afraid of being arrested.

“I am not hiding and I fear nothing, if the police want to arrest me, let them come. I am ready for them, they know my home, and they can come if they want,” he said.

“As the minority leader in the Senate, I have a right to point out wrongs in the government.”

Madzayo reiterated that Azimio will not back down from its demonstrations to pressure the government to lower the cost of living and listen to the cries of Kenyans.

“Maandamano is our right and if we decide to go for demos on Wednesday, we will tell you and we will tell you where they will begin,” he said.