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Nominated Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party senator Beth Syengo has criticized the police for their use of excessive force against protesters.
During the debate on the state of the nation on Thursday, July 4, the lawmaker described pleading with a police officer to spare a young protester.
The lawmaker stated that she communicated to the police officer within the precincts of parliament that the protester was innocent.
Syengo revealed that the officer pushed her aside and alleged that the protesters were goons from Kibera. Despite the protester showing his identification card, the officer fatally shot him outside the August House.
“I remember kneeling before a policeman who was a killer. I confronted him and asked why he was killing an innocent, unarmed young man. The policeman looked at me and said, ‘Senator, get behind me; these are crooks and criminals from Kibera.’ The student being pursued showed his university identification card, but the policeman ignored it and shot him dead. It was so painful,” she said.
The lawmaker strongly criticized the police for their heavy-handed tactics in handling anti-government protesters.
She questioned why the police had become what she described as aggressors instead of protecting Kenyans.
“Why should we have police who are supposed to maintain law and order, protect citizens and the country, killing our young men and women?” Syengo questioned.
In other news, the police have announced their intention to pursue rowdy youths who were caught on camera stealing from businesses during demonstrations.
They have released footage showing the suspects breaking into cars and business premises, resulting in significant losses for the owners.
One video clip depicted the violent youths ambushing a man on the roadside and forcibly robbing him of his belongings.
What else you need to know about protests in Kenya
The owner of Qaffee Point was arrested for reportedly firing shots at protesters in Mombasa, who allegedly targeted his establishment.
In Nairobi, another group of protesters caused a commotion by placing coffins throughout the CBD during the anti-government demonstrations.
Additionally, a former rapper turned media personality was thrilled after unexpectedly encountering his son during the protests.
