VOLUME I NUMSER 3 jucy august september 1999
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KENYA HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION Quarterly HUMAN RIGHTS Report
Volume I Number 3
Kenya Human Bights Commission 1000 Board of Directors \ lakan NItittia, (hau Njeri Kabcbcri, Jue- Cijair \laiiia Kiai 1ickna Kithinji \Jaiiiiii \Iazrui \IvarnIa I\ivasarii \Villy \ lut iliga, L'veculite I)ireclor
Programs Co-ordinator Brigit Moraa \'sanibui Kin sat Iii Accountant Monitoring and Research Juliet Kituvi '\jugulsa Iutahi Administration Staff sIutun1a Ruteere James Cathoga 1'sa Kiiru hlaxiniilla \Vckcsa Nkk Ndungi \'incetit \lusebe Advocacy Repher Aniisdo ()(iessda I.un1uI11)a 1)anicl Nvakuncli \\sfuIa Buke Intern Mugambi Kiai Niaria Blakensiciner Human Rights Education and Outreach Janies Nduko Jaiic i'huo
©KHRC. 1999
ISBN 9966-911-02-9
Kenya 1 luinasi Rights (Snisinission 1)0 Box 41079. Nairobi. Kenya Tel: (251-2) 571999/8 Fax: (254-2) 574997 E-mail: khrcJ,africaonlinc.co.ke \(I) v\v\v.ltIi.ca/par(ucrs/klII(
All pii,tN of this publication niav be tepiocluceci frce1; provided the Kenya ilusnan Rights (:oriiiissioii is diii', ac kliowie(lgcd. l>ri istcd in Kenya
Photographs courtesy of I)mly \alum & Last :1 /i WOO 5iaiu/aid
Corer I'ho/o,'rap/i: Re.ci(/e,,Ls /.t Ia//sure liii, \thobi th'nwmlnztiug ai,isl !he rabhing of/heir Iasu/ MISSION STATEMENT Ihe Kenya I lunian Rights (ommission (K.ii RC) is i non-governmental In('ml)('rsliip organization founded in 1992. It has an obscrvei' status wili the Africaui ( ; OIiuiliiSsiOii on Human and People's Rights. K! IRC is the 1998 winner or the MS Iuitcruiatiouial Award, bestowed in Denmark.
he mission ol the Commission is to j)romote, protect and enhance the enjoyment of the human rights of Kenvans. It does this through monitoring, research and docuineiilation of human rights violations. It organism's activist events and undertakes l)ul)hic awiu'cness canipaigns on human rights. RI I R( is ('olnmnit te(l to mainsireamning ,qenclei' in all its progminines and initiatives.
RH RC is comniiltccl to the realization of' human rights ideals in Kenya b' strengthening the human rights uuiovcmn('mit. KHRC Stil)l)Ot5 social. j)Olitical, cconomi(', iii(i ('uiltuii'al change ainied at enhianciuig respect for time i'uile or law, the development of a society that upholds democratic values, a society aware of ' its m'ights and conies to their defi'imsc whenever threatened or attacked,
STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES l\H R( strategic oh)jcCti\'CS are to: • Reduce human rights violations in Kenya • Strengthen the human rights movement in Kenya • 1--bId state, instinuions and individuals accountable for human rights violations • Raise awareness of' human rights in Kcn\'a
• Place Kenya on it tm'ulv democratic trajectory
Kenya Human Rights Commission • KHRC Valley Arcade, Gitanga Road P0 Box 41079, Nairobi KENYA Cunteots
Preface . Acknowledgements ...... ii Table of Violation (Statistics) ...... iii Violation of the Right to Life (Graph) ...... iv Glossary of Terms, Abbreviations and Acronyms ...... v
I. Violations of the Right to Life ...... 1 \. Lxtra-judicial hx((utiolls ......
B . 1)eaths from lorture ...... 5
C . Mob \iolcnce ...... 9 I). Violence against \Vomeii ...... I 2 E. \iolence Against Chikiren ...... 1 5 FBanclitrv ...... 1 7 C;. I'he 1)eath Penalty ...... 18 14. Prison C:onditions ...... 1 9
II. Police Brutality and Arbitrary Arrests ...... 23
M. Civil Rights and Liberties ...... 26 A. Fcedoin of S1c11 and Freedom of the Press ...... 26 R. Inde1)cndence of the judiciary ...... 29 C. Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association ...... 3 1 D. (;o\crlmlent iI1t(d('YeI1ce ith N(;Os ...... 33
IV. Economic and Social Rights ...... 34 Land Grabbing ...... 34
(:oIItLI - tioIi ...... 37 l-larassment of the Poor ...... 39 1). \Vorkers rights ...... 10
Taking Charge ...... 42
.\ 1011tldtl]) of ifl(liVi(IUaI afl(! gtfluj) ifli(iati\CS in cIcii aili ig, dc ft nd and pro in ,1 ii ig tlict r dgh ts Acknowledgements
This report was written by Kenya Human Rights Commission program staff. It was coordinated by Njuguna Mutahi and edited by Wambui Kimathi. The publication of this report was made possible by funding from DANIDA. How- ever, it does not necessarily reflect their views. IR11'A('[
\'eii' igo. the Keiivi I lutitait Rights Coiniiiissiou questiotied vhicilier the itiuchi tatii)lC(l ('OilStitlitiOn i'eli)i'ni l)i'OC('Ss \V()ul(1 ad(lrcss the saiiciit ISSUeS ii tat ('( >11- liiilie lo curtail the eiijoviiicill oHililliall rights in Ketiva. With the curietit stale- iiiate jil the proccss, tue (ol11l11i5siOi1 is COII\'iiice(l that the j)rotago)Ilists who iflclude l)01it1('iuIlS from both Si(leS of tile j)oliti('al (li\'i(iC (10) not shai'e the sante
('OiICCI'ilS oil (lie slate of lItiithlii rights in the country.
AS the politicians c()ntiilue to vacillate, govei'iliiiehit agelits coiiliillie to abuse liiiiiiaii i'iglits with ii]lj)uiiit\':
1.xtra-ju(IiCial execuit 10115 Since Jaiuiai'v 1999, 187 people have i)eeil killed by Iav Lnfoi'eeiiiciit ( )f'ficiais in olif ici'eiit cii'cuimslances. \Viiile tile ilIaJol'itV of the Viclilils have been fl)I)l)el'v and cai' jacking suspects. sonic I iave l)eeil iilil()ceIlt \'iCti!ils of I)OIi('e iiiisiise of , firc aims and of' authority. 1)uii'iitg the last (Iuiai't(i' JliIV-Sei)teifll)el'- the KI I RC i'eo'oi'oleol (ii (leatfis fi'otii eXti'a-jti(licull exectitioiis. The police have coiisisteiitiv argued that they kill in the i)i'0(' 55 of )i'oiCciii1g lives and l)i'O!)eFtY. This is iiol aIvavs so. Iii sonic cases, a little 1)11 of ('atitioli, professioi iahisiil ai iol ('OlIlillOil
SCI1SC \V0U1(1 Ilave saved fives.
I oi't iii' e Iii the thlii'(l (luarter of' 1999, toi'tuire has reillaiiie(l as one iilost i'epulsive on- siauiglit oil the right to liii. Most 1)eol)k arrcsicd for any reason arc at a very senouts risk of l)eiilg toi'iuire(l. at tithes fatally l)v investigation ageilcies. ihie iliethi-
0(ls used are grilesolile and iJlcoiiSisteilt vitli keiivaii and iiiteriiatioi'ial law. Be- t\vecil JlilV-Sej)tCI)1I)el'. the Kil R( recor(le(i 29 cases (Ii (lchil)erate tortui'e by l)OhicC officers. Iweive of' these iiicideiits le( I to ) (leathls.
Mol) \'iOleiice hhiei'e has l)(i) a I1)ai'keoi oleclitic in tIle IltIinl)er of' people killed in 1110!) \'io- leil('e iil('i(leilts. In the lust quarter. 82 deathis vei'e i'ecoi'(lC(l. The figtii'e de- cliile(l in the secoi101 (Iitai'teI' to 49 and t) 26 (leathis het\veen Juiie and Sei)iein - her. \\ hiile this ti'cii(l is eilCOtii'agiilg, it still Lina('('cl)tal)le that the general public
\'ieWs 11)01) violclicc as an altei'iiati''e to the jui(licial svsteiii. This not only encouir- ages lawlessness ailol tltci'eh rc geilei'al iilsccui'i(\', 1)111 also dcilie(l the suspects the i'igl it to ) be heai'(l.
\iolence against women In the tilir(1 quartcrof die veal'. KI I RU (locuiillcnte(l a total of' 21 deaths i'esuihting fi-orn various kifl(IS of violeiicc against voincii; a 23 pCi cciii increase li nii ti IC prC\ius (Iliarter. ( )ver the same pern )(l, there were !)) (li )ctilI iciite(l cases of VOIllCl1 \VhI() suflere(l acts of sexual violence, a 37 lwr ceiit increase from ti IC sCcoII(l (luaI'tcrs.
BCsi(ICS tue V1OICOCC tlicv stiffer l)ecausc ol the SCX, \VOil ieii are also \mctiiils of liarinhil cultural practicCs like Female Genital imitilation (FG\1). Ihiotigh its diflRiIht to iiiiitoi. F(;\I is eVi(lCIIt that the j)ractiCC is Of iiphiell in some parts of Kenya. 'l'l us is uiiainlv so in parts of Rifi \alfev, Eastern aild \Vestern prov- inces.. IlK' ('Oi1SC(l1iei1e5 that l(; I illlf)O5eS Elf )O11 these leiiiale yictiiiis are 1)0th several and severe, and are Cxf)eiieilCC(l 1)0111 iii tile short and long-term.
Prison (OiI(litiOIiS Rep( )rts lr( no prisons contimiuc to ni(licate that they are invaluably overciovded, iinhivgieiiic and uinsanitary and l)asicahlV tiiifit for iiuiiiati llal)italion. The ('ondi- tions iilvalulal)lV lea(l to vi(l( -si)rca(l (hscascs aiii)iig prisoilers an(l deaths. I low- ever, the prison del)altnlent has ref t ise(l to ( )peil hf) the facilities to iiidcpemideiit orgaitisations thlerCI)v l)hocking inlornialion 1)11 exact fatalities froiiu the ptihlic. I)iiring this quarter. KI IRU recorded six deaths arising fiomii prison con(Iitioi is. The actual figure is dcl uiitclv higher. iali(iitr\ Banditry continues to be one of the iiiost f)101101ii1cCd causes of insecurity. I lie inai)ihitV of the govcliinueuit to take specific measures against this iiienacc is a loud statcinent oil I lie government's laxity in fulfilling its ol)ligation of providing security to its people. In the iiioiitlis of jiilv-Septeiiihx'r, . people dicd fioiii i)ami(iiliv. There VCFC also 37 reported incidents that did hot result in death l)ut wInch le(h to mu Ilies and extensive loss of propeitv ami(l (hiSrul)tioii of hivehih od.
I)caihi Penalty lii the last three months. the RI IRC recorded i death sentences by Kciivan c )i irts. 'I'his irimigs to 163, the numi)er of people wI 10 1 iavc 1 )ceu sentenced to (heath I siilce Jaiuiar as icc )r(lcd I )V Ri I R(_. Alti iotigi i keiiva I ias not calrme(l 0 nit am (icalhl sentence fr Over a (iccade, (icathi sentence reiiiamiis on the Keiivai i i)Ooks.
The RI IR( monitors death pciialty as it is a violation of the right to life and ailloiuiits to cinch. iuiuiiiiiiami and dcgiadiiig f)hihlishinieflt. file Iiitcruiational Bill of I Itmniaii Rights, the (oiiyciilioii Against 'l'ortiiie and the Kciiva colistittution gn;ur- atitces the right to life and tile freedom froiii torture, cruel and iiihuiinan treat- iliehil of pwiishiuiicii(. Oilier than iii the case of Iilur(ier, uiuost Suspects on capital charges in henva have no legal ai(1. IIiis increases their VLIlilcral)ihitV with regai(l to the (LUll j)ellaltv. ireedoiii ol the j)I'CSS I)iti C( )lIecte(1 by the K! I R( in(iicate a (lefillite tren(l or (ieteriOratlo)n with ic- gai'd to the i'esf)CC1 of free(loil'i of Sf )eech and of the f)iiSs. Iii the Secoil(l half , of 1998, the I\l1 R( iecolde(l 2() ('t55 0)1 ah)USc of the fret(l( mi of exj)ressioii. This Iigui'e iilcredse(i to d.) in tile first I mIF of P09 vliichi reI)I'eSeIlts a 7°( increase ill ai)llse of the hec(loill of exj)ressi( )fl in keiiva.
rh)itrarv arrests l\Il R(_ (IocUmeilte(i a t( )tai of 1213 \'i('tiIllS oF Im )Ii('' S\VOOpS all(l seCIiritv opera- tions h)etwCCil JuI' and SeI)teilli)Cr. This a(l(ls hf) to ;in avenlge of 13 I)col)he eveiv day. the police justify the SW00S as exercises iulten(led at reducing criiiii- nal activities. 1'lic target of these rallij)ult violations are Illailily the 1)001', hii1(ier privileged, and thereli)rc more vtuinerahlc sections and persons iii society, OF refugees residing in Kenya.
1'l'ee(lOill of' i)eaceftii asseniblv and associat ion
1)iii'iuig the second (lUarter 0 )f I PP9, NJ IRC recorded 13 rcporte(l cases of inter- lerence with the freeoloiii of asseiuiblv and association. Between Jtilv-Septeniber 1.) were i'epOl'te(1. It is th'Iereli)re evi(leilt (luLl tile situation is not iul)roVing.
I ike mans' other rights freedom of asseu'ilbiv and association is so interwoven with oilier rights that its violation triggers the vio )iatioul of' many others. Wi ien this right is (hewed, peol)ie ale (Ichlie(l the environment witluiii vhncli tile free(Iohii to vote is exercised. Likewise, in exercising their freedoiii orspecch iiliuivi(iLials (10 hot sI)cak to thieuisehves. Freedom of si)eech i is contingent upon the freedom to associate with 0th lers. Iiglit to life
•JIL AUG SEPTOTAL Lxtla-jIi(licial executions 22 3() 9 61 Mo!) violence 11 5 1 0 26 Violence against women 9 6 6 21 Violence against children 11 6 4 21 Bafl(litrv 1 50 7 58 Death peflaltv 16 36 13 65 Prison conditions 1 2 3 6
Police Brutality Men 18 26 6 So
\'VOmCn 1 - I Children 3 3 1 7 Arbitrai-v arrests and irregular circumstances of detention 629 139 1048 1816 Civil Rights and Liberties Freedom of speech and of the press 17 4 3 24 F'reedom of peaceful assembly and association 14 22 26 62
Social economic rights Irregular/Illegal allocation 16 9 11 36
Eviction and notices of eviction 1 3 - 4 Irregular government tendering 1 2 1 4
EmI)ezzlemelit of public funds/assets - 1 1 2 I)estniction of property 4 1 7 15
Inipounde(l 1)roPeity 2 1 - 3
Flarassment - - 1 1 1)enial of the right to earn a livelihood 4 5 5 14
Summary dismissal - 50() 615 1,115
Sexual harassment (women) 1 - - 1
Rights to the integrity of the Jeo1
Sexual assault/rape 7 - 1! 18
Forced marriage - 1 - 1 1)efilenieiit 18 22 11 54
Forced marriage I - 1 2 (Ill) C) C) C) 0 0) C) '0 C) 0' 0) 0 C) C) 0 0) 0) C) C) C) C) 0 0
71
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0 C I 31 o (0
-.' 'O(Q 0
—4- 0
0 0 (D
C) 0 0 C') 0
( i '.) Glossary of Terms, Abhreviations and Acronyms
i%.skari ( lH(l/S kh•r/ l llI flicct- Chang'aa Fridiliolml illicit 1ne Kenya shilling(s) KIi Kiosk SItu>p IVlatatu I 'tI ilic S( CVIC(' V ii cli Ma.nyatta. .\ lud (1welling-place Miraa Khat Panga \lachcte Rungu Ulti) Shairiba ti li't r / lan it Sungu Sungu \'igilatttc (;IOtt})5 lit l\itl utd latixtilit Wananchi Peo1ile Youth'winger Nlenilierofiniorinal KANIJ security wing
\dniinistrative ()flierrs A& 6 .\tu )l]tCV-( niral A P Adtnitiistrittii it l'olice oficer; DC 1)i,t rict Ct uittisiotier DO I )i'trict Officcl- DCIO l)itttt C ritiiiital Ittcsttg tiotts ()llitc') , DSIO 1)istiict SC(ttiit\' llt\'e'lii.iLti0ltS ( )liicer 6 S U (ic iie r tI Senice I tilt 0 CPD 011icer omnianditig Police I)ivision PC Provincial Coniniissioticr C ID ( titnittal It tvtst itation I)epartment
Political Pa rues D P I)cniocruie Paitv FORD-KEN'i'A I'ontm for th(' Restoration ofl)enu)cia(v - kenya FORD-ASILI l li)l dic Ieoiatit iii of I )eflioctt(v - .\sili I PK Isiat tilt Pt tt\ of Kri iva I(iIIJ l.ell\a \Iii(ltl '\ltti( )iilll l_iiioit I(NC Kenya National Cotioivss NJPK Nttiottal 1)iveli)pincnt ParR oiKttivt SD P Social [)et I iOCtlttic Pa nv UD M Uni ed I )emocnat tu N lo\eltieilt
Others ACIIPR \liicati ( itanterun I - Itiman ;ttid Peoples Rights ACR'V'ZC \Iiicui (harter ott the Rights aitd thit' Welfare of tite Child CEDAW C:oitctitioti Oil thit EliluilItioli of l)iscrimiiiatioti .\gainst Women CRC C ui Ive liii 1)1 On tite Righ Its of the C hi ild EPRDF Ethiopia it Pc ple's Revoh(jt ui iarv I )eftiice Forces FGM Female ( eni tal N I it hat ion ICCPR I uteri tlltiOi iii! Covelmill on C ih and Political Rights ICESCR I iltei'i llltiOiilih Cotivenuon on Iconoiiiic. Social and Cttlt t iral Rigi its
(v) KEC Kenya Broadcasting Corporation KHRC Kenya Human Rights COmmiSSiOn KNUT Kenya National Union of Teachers KTN Kenya Television Network MOH \linistrv of Health OLF Oroino Liberation Front QHRR Quarterly Human Rights Report UDHR Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(vi) I. Violations of the Right to life A. Extra-jutlicial Executions
lile police eOlIllIIlSsi011el. liIilellu)lI .\hoiigo IS 0111CC )l(i sa\ill2, that tilde are pLilis to ilItl0(hlICe illlIll;lll rights III tue police lrailuhlg ellrlieuhiIll. Ilus i', an lg('ll(Ll that the keiiva I IllIllall l(lgllts (_olIlIIlissioll (l'.l IRC) 11115 PllSiIei 5111CC its illCCI)1Io)l1 1111(1 \VhIiCl) III) 10) ll0V has FCCCi\C(i iIlsii4llihe nit olhcial atteIltu)l1. 11115 is (hesl)ite tile vell (lOCIIIllelltC(h l)0)I ilullIlili rights j)Iactiees of tile 11t\V I.I1IOFCCIIICIlt ( )l licers (I E( )s) ill lse1lva. liioleeoi, dISCS ol extra jtl(iiciill exeeu- ti011s 111(1 1011I1I(. Il (1II1IV OCClllIellC(..
Since jallllaIV 1999, I i7 i)eell kIlled l)\ LilOs Deaths -extra-judicial executions ill (lillerelit (ildillil- January - September, 1999 SI1Il1(CS. \\i ide the lilajolilv of tile vie-
111115 have 1)Cdl1 101)-
1 erv Ill 1(1 (dl jaekil 114
si 1S )edts. S( )l I IC I lIlVe h)CCIl illIlOedlit Vi(-
tillis of J)O11CC II11SIISC of fIle I1FIIIS and of Ill ltl101itV. l)liriilg ii IC last (IIiaIter-jul\ -S('j)- tellli)el- tile IsI IRC leeoI(ie(i 61 (IcatlIs Iioiii extl1l-Jll(li(lal exedlItiolls.
lile p0)11CC illIve (011SiSteIutlV ;Il1411e(i that they kill iii tile 1)l0(eSs of j)rotedlil)g lives an(I l)I0l)eltV. 11115 Is 1101 11\a\5 50. III soiiie (IISCS, a little 1)11 oh caillioll. )101eSSiolIaliSfl) 1111(1 (0II1l1iO)li SCHSC \V( iihih Ilave save(l lives. ( )n July 7, a Passel hv. Olilla Nvarlalo Was silot (lCa(l by Polide at ItLllIlI)C Market, (;itehia (listli(t as j)oliee olhieeis IIIOVC(l ill to) settle a (hiSj)lltC het\VeCll lilalatti touts 1111(1 eolllIlllit- ci's. Ihie only explalIlItioli the police gave Was tilat lIe was shot l)v a stIav i)ulhlet.
SilIhed it to sll\' that 11(0 llI\'esIlgatioliS WCl•e (0ll(IUCIO'(i 1111(1 the Iall'IilV is still crviig I )l jul51 ite.
• I(lil/ Iluinazi /?,,/i,. ( QIiiIiiI:/()Ii ()iijitiv !, polie olficers shot (ft'I(l Sillion 1 1 05 P1 tal alleging that he \vas a iOl)l)ei\' suspect. I Io\VeVe, it laici' tilFlie(I oUt tiiii (lie \i(iilii had goil( IC) (lie liosl)iIaI to f);iv a 1)111 iliellrre(l alter the death of iiis l)r(tlier iii the s;nhle hospital. 'Ilie ki 11(C wrote to the Attoriiev OIl ,Jiil 2() 1)111 lIe has 1101 i'eSlX)IRle(I to our iliqitiries.
Kiliaia had g()Iie to keiivatta >.aiioiial I lospitaf to pay a hospital 1)111 lot his l)Iother who had (lied tile I)Ie\iotis ola. I Ic was ;icc iIij)ailie(1 by a lrieIl(l, \\iithiaka \Ietivwe, as ite w;iiked to) (lie hospitals cash office \\hien they 11111 11110 a siatiipe(le. .ppaieiitl lhl(' f)oliCe had lai(l an aiiiliuisli after h)ellig til)l)('(I of au iiiif)elI(hiilg ro)l)l)erv atieiiil)i. \\liile vaikiiig to (lie hiOsf)ital, '\gotli() was shot III groin alter (lie police iiuistook huitii for a rOI)h)eI.
Iii sonic eases, the iiuilitarv engages iii exti'a-(ti(hiciai exectiliolis. On July 2 I. l)(li Glivo. a gitaid at (;;urh;uiilla Boaroinig School was sIa)t (lead liv iiiihitaiv jiei'soiuiiel Iiouuu (;iii)a Itilla iuiilitarv I)ase iii iSt()Io) (listiict.
Abdi was on his 'vav to work when lie IIIC( sol(Iiers vho were on patrol se;urcitiiig hr illegal anus . :\ccoi(hilug to \Viii)eSSeS, lie was ordered to Sit olowii together vitii soiii'.' other suspects, lie oheved . Alter a wliik, one of the o flicers order(.d huiiii to stand Uf) and rim. Alter a taking several steps, one Sergeant \Ioluaiuuiuieol shot hiiiii in tile hack.
On August 10. Amutlmonv \ Iwalugi Kamuiati. 22, was shot dead wlieii police clashic(I itIi youths at kianduiuti shimius, Tliika to\vii. \1vangi, an eIiil)lO\'CC of ('huania heeds IA(l was shot in the i41'OiIi whell 1)011cc 0 liRe' Is h)uighut \Vithi youtlis I)eliCVe(l to) lie iiieiiiicrs of ii ie \ I iii igiki st'ct
The iiuost outrageous killings duriiig this quarter lool l)lace oii August 12 in a kvale 11)( sqtie vhieie live peol)le were shot (lead by j)ohice. A sixth victimul, a police ollicer was killed by niemiilici's of tIle jiuihihic in the culsuiirmg tuielce. Ac- cording to witnesses. tIle (lca(l olhcer with seveiu others had gone to tile \Iasji(l Anas as \lahik iiiosque to arrest a iiiaiu suisiecied ol arson.
nkiuo'vn to timenu, a conflict was going on hctweeii Iwo) warring factions vcr a marriage ceremony. lime parties in the iws(Itie allegedly lured it iohiceiiiaii into) the uiiosqume and hacked hiiiii to oleathi. But helore lie died, witnesses said, lie
KHRC's letter to Attorney General Amos Wako Report by the Flussein Sora Foundation for Flunian Rights and l)emocracy elated October 1999.
2 - - A'enia liwnan Ri/ji.s • /999 IosI111lc jnofeIing the ii///in4': at liii i Il)O.s/llc ill lIoiiih;i;,
liFCd d l)IIrSt 0! lire In )ifl I k ( ;3 tille killing two l his attackeis. II Ic ( ) t 11(1
1)011CC ol leers then fired on the clo'.v(l killing three ili()iC people and ilijurilig I otll('rs.
A sceliiit\ leani was sent iioiii \ail)I)i to ilivestigate (lie killings but li;is 1101 vet aiin )ullce(I its !iii(liiIg On \vl 10 was resi )onsil)le h)r (lie trage(lv. I lowcwr the \Iiiiisici I'Or Il1t(iI1il SeeIiiiiV, \IdrS(lCi1 \Ia(lOkl said that "the (lCa(l oliiccr must have ClitCie(l the M05(1tiC liill' aiiiie(l out ol igliolance ali(i lutist have lire(I si i( >ts iii sell (ICICIICC.
The SliI)renle ('otituejl 0! Kenya \Iiisliiuis (SI. 1 PI\1\I), later issuedi ;ill iliteriuli FCI)Oit tlaiiuiuig that the live \ictiiiis \VCiC (liagge(l 110111 tIle IulOS(ltie an(l cx- edited!. Ilie Iiuiatn (otiuicil has reliahie cvi(leulce vhiiclu iuidliRles eve \vituicsses and cartridges Iioiui (lie site NvIlerc the voiiiuded were shot (lea(I aIl(I a sl)elut hiillet lioiii (lie wall 01 (lie iW)S(llie. Ihie iej)Ort ad(le(l that au II)(ICI)efl(lelit l)(>St iiiortcuii examination (onhuliissione(l l)\' the Council ol Iuivaiiis (>11 three olilie bodies showed that all were shot at dose range iii (hue forehead.
• Aeni;i 111/111111) I?i5.,'iII ( ()fJ)l1ilsS1)11 ff199 3 Iii another ulci(leIlt of iiiisuse of firearnis, arme(l police ollicers shot (lCa(l a iiiaii on August ). iii Kavaiigivare. \air >1)1. \Vitnesses 101(1 nicinhers of ii ie press ii iai iV() 111I1lOiiIIC(1 j)oiice officers walked iiIt() a local I )rewnig (len and (Ieclare(I ii iat all the revellers were IIIi(Icr arrest. Some of the revellers (leillaiide(l to know icasolis (l their arrest. Iiieiei)v iiiltiriatiiig (lie police oflicers. On of the otiicers Panicke(l ail(l Starte(I firing viklIv ail(I in then iroccss shot a P;Isseil)Y iii the (lieSt. Ail(1 ill IFOi)I'S South 'C'' estate, a teenager (Iied on August 16 aflcr l)cuig liii i)v a stray 1)liIlet. lii vet ai u)thICr (,Ise ( )f a i)ungle(l f)( )liUe operation. a Senior Clerical officer vitl i Post Bank was shot dead at Kawangwaie estate. NIvanzia Miittilii was shot (lead iii a lodging room by Ix )hice \vlio were iespon(hing to a tip-off that there were ariflc(l thugs in ()urCYioicc \iJii Club. Accor(liiig to tile 1hi 1- Most people arrested for any ager, the i )hice tame to t lie (1111) reason are at serious risk of at al )OIit 2.30 f)iii ai id 0i(leie( I every l)o(lv to lie down. Lucy being tortured, at times fatally iliemi got 1101(1 of one guard and by investigation agencies. The used hmimii as a iiuniaii shield as methods used are gruesome they vent From roolil to 100111. and inconsistent with Kenyan Miitiilii was ti'viiig 1<) f)CCj) 0111 (luring t lit' coiiiinotioii ;iiid was and international law. Be- s1)raYe(I vithi htillets iii the head, tween July- September, the killing him instantly. KHRC recorded 29 cases of deliberate torture by police I lie c)iislstel icy of ext ma tti licial execiitioiìs ilidlicates tha( no officers. Twelve of these mci- iiieasures have h)een f)lil in Place dents led to deaths. 1<) stof) theiii, antI IF they have, they are clearly ineffective. Between jaiiiiarv 1996 an(l Sef)ieinber I the police have kille(I 663 f)eof)le iii extra jii(hlcial circiiiiistaiices. lhiis shoot to kill policy has not re(hilce(l the crilile rate iii the cotiiitiV . ;\ccordiiig to the Kenya Police 1998 Aiiiiiial Report. there were 73, 61 () cases OF serious (iiilie (hiiriiig the year (oIiif)are(l to 72, 961 cases reported in I 995. 'FIle shoot to kill policy is ii meiekie hot a (letelient to (nine.
I\1 I1( CS v;tClflCC4 or I ICC poliCe lC})oCi IC) (ICC) I ICC all (>11 (CI))) \\;Is I cpoll"Ihlc Ior CI)) (I())I)'
I -- Aci,ra Iliiiiiaii /?1q'Iii.s ('aiiuiiiccion • 1999 B. Torture
In •J ul, the director of cruninal invest igatkiis. F.K.A. Sang was quoted saving that the j)OIice \VOtIl(l a(lopl I rieII(ilv interrogation IIiCllIo(1S 1<) ol)tain cotilessions
Iioiii silsj)ccls. ( )ii June 30, 1999 an assistant iriiiiistcr ol state also told 1)tI1ii went that th (;o\rnmeiit was taking extra-caution to see that I\clivafls (10 not get killed through torture, lie was resx)II(liI)g to Kannikutiuji's legislator Nor- iiiaii Nvaga's reported that 1 ,728 I)(ol)lC have (lie(l froiii torture iw Ken an po- lice. These official stateti lents I iave not heel) trah)shate(l iilt() action as this report ill ti St rates.
Iii (lie (hiir(i quarter of 1999, tortUre has reulaille(i as oiie 111051 rCpulsIVc on- slauglit on tile right to life. Most IR'01)le alTested IOF aiiv reason arc at a cr serious risk oH)eihlg tortured, at tunes fatally l)V investigation dgeI)cie. tue inetli- 0(1s tise(l are grueSome am)( I inconsistent with Kciivan and international law. Be- tecn Jullv-Sej)tciiuber. the K! IRC recorded 29 cases of (Ielii)erate torture by )1je ollicers. twelve of these lnci(lents led to deaths.
Onjulv 3 at ai-ound 7.30 1)111. a 1)011CC oliicti, Michuel Gutiimi attached to Kaibos cI iiels camp caine to the hioiiie oil leiirv Makokha and arreste(l hnii for alleg- c(Ilv assaulting his neighil )ouir ,Jamuies 1,01a. \Viiile on the wa to the camp, Gatimu assaultc(l \lakokhua by whipping hiiiii several tunes with a rubber whip. The lashes were dealt oti the back, stoiiiachi and chest and (led) \V()thil(1s that were ill! llcte(l that h)led profiisely.
\\heii il iev leach ied the clue! s callif), an( )ther p)hice oihccr by the tiame l'raiicis I okolikiir joined in il it' torture. The t\V() (letailled \ Iakoklia iii the chiefs ollice and heat hiiiii severely withi their torches. lie receive(l hk nvs omi the head and kicks iii tI uc private 1)al°ts. 'l'liev tI ieii I uandcuilicd Makokha to tIle duels desk vl uere I c was Ic Ii ove mm ugh it.
The k)llowillg ruornihug, thic two ollicers returiucti and renlove I the hiatnlcuilis froiii \iakokhia and ordere(h hini to wipe the floor where he had uIrii)ate(l during the night, lie was thcii released without at iv ch iarges hIeing l)rolk'red against 111111.
\ Iakokhua wemut for tieatnlent at Kapenguria 1)istrict hospital viuere lie was ad- nuue(l for two days. \\ lien lie was (liscliarged, he rei)omte(l tI ie case at Kapenguuria 1)ohicc slati( II) and hilled a P3 loriii. the two adii uim)istratioli police ( luicers thueti l)richlv (lisapj)eare(l hioiiu tI ic area. By August 1. hue was still c0lfl)laih1ii1g of sexual
A'rizia Iliiinaii 1?iijI.s ('(,/),I)Iic',ioll • 1.0.0.0 -
(iVsltIii(lioii and his hO(hil\ \V( )ilii(I5 were still visihk.
011 Sepienhcr I 1, at 0 aill. the sU)ie tWO I) If ice rs retliII1C(I and arreste(I Niakoklia aani and took liiiii 10 Kaf)cngiina police station. Ilie ( ).C.S I )i)IV (IUesti( Ii iC(1 Inni \vIiV I IC had mvolved the clnneli (üitIi i- lie ci itircli vIncIi was h )llo\vmg tip i h(' case). I Ic was Ioriiiallv (iiarge(l on Sep- tCii)l)ei 16 with assatili on Ins iieighihoin.
liiii>iiia t\V() I)eOj)le aiIcsle(i (hlirilig I sti ik. l)\ ii) it itii (ii i\ (.15 (h((1 Ill I)01i( c I (Iist()chv. Jacob \Vaiivonvi N lasese and - I(;iiiiacihaii 1akaii hed alter l)eiilg i)eateII hv ln)11CC of iiccrs at Biiiigoiiia I)O1iCC sta- - [jolt Oil .JI1IY ). 1 )9). Ilie 1)011cc intinii- (latc(I the Iaitiiijcs to (Oil(lti(t a post illortelli vitiiotit their (1Oct01 iii a l)i(l to Rein/no odwd tin /in/ - o/ i/il/i C()Vel tip [lie cause of (icaLi i. II n/to n-ac iiiiei/ hr the .11th/a, v in I/a, ah,!. th(, Ili(lCI)e1i(ieIlL Nledical LeiaI I iiit (1\hII ) hicilitateda SeCoil(l exaininatioii \\liI (ht (ie1CllInhle(I that (heath was caused ii lien Ial 1 )lCC( hug.
Iii Nvahiuriiiu, Issa Nlohianmied. 10. was l)eaieii to death by mcii ii)ers OF the (;ei,i- il Service I 1111 (htirnlg the strike called by iiiatatu owners Oil Jiih 7,1 )P!). \Iohiariitned, a guard with [lie Nvaliuiiirti Nltinicipal (oiiiicil (lied at the Rib \'allev provincial I iospi tal oii Jiil ).
OiiJiilv 17, a 2i-vear-old man. Peter Kauiiiki was tortured to (leatli by adiiuinis- (ration police iii (;itlitiiigiimi, Kiaiiii>ii (usEnet . ;ccordiiig to his sister. 'I'c,esia ('liege. 1aiitiki was arreste(l for sUsl)ecie(1 iol)bemv at ilicir home at 3 p.m. in good lical(li audI was coiiliiined dead at 5.3() pin omi the same day.
;\il eve viiiIess. Francis Nhtichiai \vli() sIuue(l a cell with 111111 dimmiiig the oideal said that the two ollicers tied KariukIs hiamids and legs together with a rope and J)Oilie(1 (01(1 \Vaier on liimii to foice lain confess that lie was a thief. 1'hmcv thiemii
iC1)OIlL(t lo I\.1 II(( I)V IIt;I!(JII1(( ifl(t 1l(( (OI1(Il1l.IlI al)(I tl\Vai(lcd 1<) [hc I \
)j)((1tI l;It)tx)l( - ur(n Sjit - iiit - r 2()
l(ej)oiied l)vJa(-oI) 1('oil\a. I\I IIC I))OliliOi, lllmmi4omila - 1' cilia Iliun;,,i J?i/ii. ( ()Iii/iii.iQi1 • IPPP that lie had killed liini.' lhoiigli (lie Iwo olliceis Were trails lerreil tile following day tic) oilier (lIsciJ)iitiaI\ action was taken.
()iijtilv 27..JoIiti >jeni \1l)are fioiii ('liuk;t iii \lerii, was atiIie(i by the police wheii he wcIII lo a case. The ixilice coIistal)Ie vlio altacke(l hint has not beeii charged though the ( ).LP.l) of \kru South is awaie of this case.
On ;itgitsi 17. aiiiicd Adiiiiiiisiratioti Police (APs) iilvI(Ie(i tile lionc of \ls (atlieriic i'%litthiOFii. at Kaitlien village iii l\iiillvaga distiict allegedly ii) sc;wcli of illicit I)re\V. \\lien IIie\ iaile(I to liiiol aiiv. they accused her of liavillg desti'oVe(i eyicleiice aii(l polulce(i oii her with kicks and l)Iows. \luitiioiu Iractilrc(l her aiiii ;111(j su!lcie
Keiiiieili \luiiiithii 'vas arrested on Septenll)ci by aii1ic(I I)oiieemlien liom)i Kerugova police station who \'i'FC ailegeoilv looking i)r illegal anus at Kiainhiigii village in Kirimuvaga (listrici. \[tiniitlii was also sIisl)eetcd of stealing a vehicle he- longing to one of his relatives 1)01 neither the guns now tIle vehicle were hnind. Des1 ite ii us, lie was aiiesteo I aiu(I locked tip at Kerugo va police stat ion wi iere he Was t( )rturc(I h r a week.
Due to the torture. \liiriitlu's co>miclition (leteriorateol and omi Septenibei 7 he Was ielcase(I and driven iii a police vehicle to the hospital, lie had a gaping
Common torture methods
Death threats LAce tiic SI uuck Burns Conhuicment in the dark Position abuse: maintaining prison- Beat i rigs ers in a tiring position • Kicking to sides while laying- back Sexual abuse includes: • Beating on the soles of feet or legs • Rape • Beating all over l)odv • 1'ightcning of wires around • Beating with sharp-edged Pole testicles • "h)()xing' of cars • Insertion of objects into the • being ke1)t in a hole which is pro- rectuiii gressively fillect with water • Pricking of genitals • Lxposurc to cold! • Threats of rape to sell or • Folvect exercise finn i lv • Prevention of access to toilet
Reported by Munenc Kaniau. Kit RC Mon tot. Kerugova
Ae,na IIu,,,;ui 1?io,'/,i.c ( ,n,,ji.',Ion • 1999 - --- - - --- 7 voiind NvIlldh had l)eei1 iliflictC(l wii1 i it Ci'li(IC VCa)0Il ail(i il()\V valks vidi the ai(l of (_li itcl ies.
On September 3, Ahl)ei't \L\1niki and I)avid Otora were picked U!) by police ofliccrs attaChe(I to I tliini 1)011CC station in Coiiiiectioii vitli a theft incicleiit which I ia(l occurred Ii) ti ieii' 1)101. During the arrest, they were slaj)pe(l, vliipped, kicked and liii with gull l)utts l)elore being taken to the 1)011cc station. 1)avid had his testicles i'epeatedlv j)liIle(l and squeezed to force them confess that thev had particuPate(l lit tile theft. For feai' 01 l)eing takeii to Kikuvim J)ohmce station, they ;igree(l to pay for the stolen goods which were valued at Kshis
\Viiile iii police ('lIStO(IV, the 1)011cc took the keys to the iioimses of the sims!)ecIs and \Veilt and searchueol thleill without thieii' I)rt'S'uI('e. Mwamiiki and Otora clauii that the 1)oliCe stole soiiie of thieii' i)elomlgings. III addition, the Police tlii'eatemle(l themui that would be re-arrested ii they lailed to pay the agreed stun of if101 icy.
On September 18, CiLiti Kagii'i. 16, (lied after l)eiiig toi'ttui'e(l by it chief', his assistant and all administration 1)o)hce oflicer. Gitau I la(l been ai'i'este(l lr alleg- e(iiv stealing money f'm'oun the clue!. According to it i)i'otliei' of' tile (leceased, Gitau was iiaviuig a du'mnk with the o'huiel iii it k)cal bar when Kshi 5,00() l)eloiIgiulg to the a(iulliIlistm'ator allegedly (hisappeare(i. 'I'lic late Gitau, a 1)ar atteui(laiIl, Fiizabethi \(hlita, 22, aui(i kiosk o1)el'ator , Bem'uiard Gichiui were arrested and taken to the chief's camp wI ieu'e thie\' were chained and beaten over night. \Vlieui (;it;uu was m'eleased a!tem' the iuiter\'euitioii of i mis relatives, lie couki barely walk and lie died bel'oi'e lie was taken to hospital. ii ie pest iiioi'Ieiii i'eJ)Ol't indicates that lie die(i of' iiitei'iial l)lee(iiuig. Two aduniiiisti'atiomi police officers and an as- sislauit cl)iel lua\'e l)eeuu au'i'esue(i and chuarge(l witli iiiiirdei'.
Even vhiemi tou'ture oloes not result iii iuium'dei', it is used h'e(lueuitiv to obtain conlcssions. \ lu's Mars' \\'au))l)ui'a tOl(l a Kil)eIa ('oui'l that police l)i'icke(l her Iiiigeu's \vith needles aii(l iiiure(I hiei' i'il)s 'ithi kicks and 1)111111 veapoiis in it bid to li'ce her confess possesion of' liu'eai'iius. Oii JIdy 8, the court oi(lei'e(l ii iat Nvalrul)ui'a and her co-accused be taken hi' a uiiedical exanhiuiatioii. ( )mi August 10, a gliau'(l chai'ged with I'obl)Ci'\' 101(1 a Kil)ei'a ('01111 that lie was uom'tuu'ed by Police lit a bid to make hini ('omit ess to having been involved iii a robbei'v. I Ic ShIOwe(i the inagisti'ate imijUi'ies from ii ie toi'tuuu'e. Ihie cotii't i'tik'd that lie be taken h r li'eat mci it.
Ibid Letter (o OCS Kikuvu Police Station from the Independent Medical Legal Unit (IMLU) dated July 12 - - Kc/1. 1 ,;1 II'i,,jjmj Rl"'Ims ( O/l)flh/s/U/i • I!)!)!) .n()ther suspcct.julins Mvangi Mulandi it suspect iii the murder ola couiicilloi - in Riiini, was j)artiallv paialvsed after l)eing tortured by police officers (luring interrogation. lbs Lawyer, liungu Gatliii told ('liief Magistrate Pctei' ?vlugo that the S1ISJ)C('t was a(Inhitted at Keilvatta National hospi(al. The lawyer said that his cliei 'it was ci iaifle(l to his I ios )ital 1)e( I.
It is iniportant to note that in many instances rccor(lC(1 during (he list quarter
('OtirtS have been orderiiig SU5I)CctS coIIlJ)laii'iuilg of torture to be taken to I 1 OSI ) i - tal h)r treatment. \Ve mOflitore(l seven such orders l)ctweeiI Jul and Septem- her. Ijnfortunatelv, the courts lla(llv follow tip to ensure that such Oi'(lCrS are fblk)wed and that the suspects are in good health - a mjor flaw in the adnmusra- tion of justice in this coiiiitrv. C. Mob Violence
Statistics rccor(kd so far iii the year reveal it (ICClinC ii'i the ntiiibci' of l)eoPle who have olied due to mob violence. In the first quarter, 82 (leatlis were re- cor(le(l. The figure (Icchine(I iii the last quarter to 19 and 26 deaths this quarter oluc to m()l) violence. W'hile this trenol is encouraging, it still unacceptable that the general ptii)hc Views i'i'io)l) violence as an alternative to the judicial system. This not only encourages lawlessness and therefore general insecurity, but also denied (lie Suspects the right to be heard.
On August 21, it car jacker was lviiched and his two colleagues injured by mem- bers of the public in Makuvu. The gang had car jacked the car on the Nairobi Makuvu highway and diyerte(l it into it fcc(lcr road to avoid a police road block when the vehicle got stuck.
On September 2, villagers in Mw'ingi district killed four suspected rol)l)crs . Fol- lowing is a report by K! I RC monitor 1)avid Mutio:
On September 2, a gang of about five men i'aidc(l the hoiiie of Kavuta Ml)aluka, it hmsiness man in kithiioko Market along the Mwiiigi Garissa highway. The gangsters demanded to be told the whereabouts of Mhaluka. One of his work- ci's, Solomon Katiwa, screamed attracting villagers who were making bricks iii a neari)v i'iver. \Vheii the gangsters saw the villagers coming, one ifleifli)er of the gang reinovc(l some explosives f'roni his pocket and using a gas lighter, lit 011e and threw it at the villagers. In the confusion, the workei's got it chance to flee to\var(hs Kithivoko market, 800 meti'es from the home and the rol)h)ers fled to- war(1s Kithlyok() fui'est.
AeIJLI IJ,i,ii;in I?ig/iis ('oiii,iiicsion • J.Of/') 9 I - - -
41-
jcii ,,j, f/u• /)((JI / ., 11/U/i 11 I 1/il/il al Kilic ia
The vili;u.cis III'II I(-g1O1I)C(j all(1 SWl()flfl(IC(1 Illc 1IC. Soiiic iiiit 11) lit iir- ke ;iiiil IiII1(l that \lh;ihiika had ;ihit;idv (iII((I lie 1)011cc fioiii \l\viiigi J)ohIce station, 10 ktii av;iv. After an liotit, Mhalttka telephiotied tile police igain since ii icy \VCIC taking lot ig to arrive.
At around ;.30 pin, lie people got iinpatielil 01 \vaiiing for (lie police and de- cided to .seatcli loi the gaiiteis iii the forest and along the lnglivav. It \as at liii loresi that they spotted the gang aIR1 they slatted shooting arrows at tlleiii. Allc gang (hew tile pistols and when tlic people 111I.S. they tan last alter ilieni.
I 0) - Al •iii, Iliunan /?1AI/f. ()1flhi/I:I{Ii • /9Of) They caught two of , tIlelil and Sprave(l them with arrows vIiilc a tllir(l one was ShOt at as iie Ifc(l. lhev looked h)r the others in the forest with no )( )SitlVC results.
At alOtin(l 0.() J)iii, the reiiiaiiimiig t\V() \\'Cie Seell I) )ar(liiig a \i55ai1 SliiiIlV l)C- lieVC(l to have been their get away car and the people nui tovaiils it. Omi seeing the villagers apj)roachimig. (lie (lFiVCF took nfl l)efore the two could enter. They were aiTested and ii iroughi \1l)ahlika'S illtcrvelitR)i1, they were not killed. 1'hiev were taken to kithivoka hairier vherc there were a(lmiJiiSti'atioil J)Olice ollicer who refused to krward t hem to the p hice and tol(l the villagers to \Vait for the police to arrivc. Ihi IS angered ii mci ii.
Most of the people vamite(l to kill the two and when Ml)aluka saw that the situation would get out of hiamiol, he locked them iii his 51101). I Iovevm tile villag- ers overl)owcred liiiii and using amigas hackcd another suspeci to oleatli. This was aroull(l 7.00 p.111. Ili(, l)OliCC (hi(l lint arrive until .0() p.iii. vlicii they took the I)0(liCS avav.
I lie following (lay, the lii tli gang meniher was iOtiIi(l iiìsiole the forest with an aITOV oil his l)ack. The police said that \1l)aluka had called too late for aiiv acti()lI to be taken and that their vehicle was not there tinis it voiild have taken time to look h r ;in alternative.
Oii Sept ml)cr 16, Phiillip Kariuki. 2, was l)eateui to death inside the office of the local vigilante grou at Mwimimto, K.iambu (usEnet. The group which was led by the area coumicillor (itl muku Muithoic accosted Kaniuki vliik' he was walking hiouic at 11 .01) f).ifl. Alter batteriiig hun to (leathi, the vigilante meulll)ers I rued to hunti the hod. their leader, iii an attempt to conceal (lie Crime reported to the area chief tI iat Kaniuki had been killed by a mob. Both efirts were however thmwarteol b tIle residents \vli() called in the police. Githiuku and lkiur of the vigilante members were amreste(1. The residents said that ( ;ithiiiku amid his group I uave contimivallv wage(l a campaign terror tinder the guise of sectuitv j)atrolS with the tacit conij)licitv of the local provincial adniinistratioii.
1c outed t)V tiiti() \datia, RI IR( \tOIiilOF, hiiLli.
Acni a Ilijinaji /?i'/1i.s (o,n,n,ss/t-nI • 1999 - I 1 D. Violence Against Women
lii the third quarter of the year, KI I RC dOcIImCntC(1 a total of 21 (kaths result- tug hoin various kinds of violence against women; it 23 per cent increase from the previous (Plaiter. Over the same period, there were 99 documented cases of woincit who siiliered acts of sexual violence, an 37 per cent increase from the second clual-ter.
Some of the cases we have (locunlente(l during this quarter confirm that the casualness in which Kciivans treat spouisal violence contril)uteS to its pievaleuce. Oii july 30, Agnes \Vanjiru, it mother of six was clol)l)ered to death by her husI)an(l at Kawangware, Nairobi. l)uring the ordeal, her son ROl)ei't (;itm tried to wake up relatives who were in the same compound but they advised him to go l)ack to bed. The suspected killer, John Maitia Gitau initially went under ground but was later apprehended and charged with the oflence.
On the same day, a teacher hacked his wie to death in Nkubu, Meni (listrict. The woman had earlier reporte(l to the Chief that their firm hand had assaulted her oii the instructions of the husl)aIld. The Adnunistrator (lid not intervene. Neighbours said they had heard screams fi -oin the couple's ComJ)OLln(l at around niidnight 1)Iit the (Ii(l not interfere as ' it was usual for the two to fight.'
In the beginning olJiilv, an alarm was raised! over what was seen as the emer- gemice of ritual killings in Kiaml)u district. This was after a middle aged woman was fund niui-dered with her genitals Immutilatc(1 and eves gouged out along time Muitarakva Mai-Mahiu Road in Naivasha. The woman's nose was chopped off and her l)reaSts were cut oil at the nipples. Police however, denied the f)ossibil- it of ritual killings and 1)lamed the killing oim onliiian criminals. The reports ibllowed reports of the killing of child in Thika under similar circumstances. (Sec violence a(?Dainst cluldren)
I.aw ei'ilorcemnent officials have also been accused of l)eiilg casual and lax in cases off violence against women. On September 17, the East African Standard reporte(l that a man who attemnpte(l to rape it 50-vear-old wonian was scimtcmtced to 1.5 mont his bv a Lodwar court. Omi September 21 . the samuuc (01111 fined John Ewoi, 30, Ksli 3,000 f r sexually assaulting a womnami.
In Kisuniti, 1\ Luv (umuulx' rej)orted that the head imiaster of Aga Khian Priuuuv School. \ lai-k ( )uma assaulted her on March 31. She had a nle(lical re tort fioiii a doctor and a J)1oPellY filled P3 fkumn. ii ie I Iea(lniaster was arreste(l but
1 2 - - - -- , iI,ini;in J?iiii.s C oiiiiinscioi) • /999 was FCICaSC(I aficr !1( !fltc\(HhiOI1 ol SCHIUF ((1lI(aIiuIl ()IliCCFS. No (lialgeS \vcIc
Ilc(1 ;tgai!lst Iiiiii. It was iiu l 111)(11.111k ili;tt tlic AG o rdclvd the ;iricst hiIiu
I I(1( Iii ia.1ci•.
.\11)lIIel 11(11(1 oiiIi nottii is that inaii\ of (Iv \ iiiii oF spous;II violclicc Ii;ive tO(h() \ .iIhi (lie ((OilO(iii(' i(iI((I(.'S. Iii (lie iC1)Oit('(I (iS(, \\OiiiCfl hia\C I)CCII killed O(F (lie iiiiiiiiii of Iatiiilv hiiiaiics or sliariiig hieiiehits \ iii;in killed his viIe iii l\ihieiid() \illa4e. \l;iseiio iii 1\isiiiiili iii a (fiiaiiel O\eI \Vlio should l)e 11aii(hliii4 hiiu;uii(ial ilfui, iii the laiuuil. Ihie iui(i(h(ui( o((uirr(d w1wil the vite iil uiS(d the
Iiuisbaiid i((( S to soiiie uuioiiev FCf )olted to have heeu l)e(fuieatlied to the \Vile by her sistel. \iiohuei voiiialu vas ref)oiledlv killed iii \lolo. \akuiiii (histiRt ovei an uiii1)aid (hel)( of 1\sli 50.
\\( )iiiCii also (Oiitiiuiie to siihlei doll-
No. violatioiis l)((tuise of their SUN. \\huile tlie\ are targeted Inst as liuiiiiaii 1)(uuigs, Ilicy are also e\1)Osed to huirtliei tialululatizilig violatioiis such as rape he- j
('iIiS(.' they ale voiiicii .\pi(giialut teloge VOl1iuli. (l1aine viilil)el(l). ;is gau1g-l;i)ed 0>11 the iiighut 0)1 Ii ily - at 1ithiage village of Kuruigova 1)istrict. hue voiiiaii had to i itideigo an eiuier- goiR OJ)tiatioli at the Keiiigova tiict I 1()sf)utal to reiuiovc a oheaol h >ettus frouuu llcr \( >1111) III oider to save lieu life alter tile night-bug ordeal.
Ms Rosalvii Naliak;u. 2, \vas iaped atid killed hva 1(-ve;ui-old malt. Mr ;\rthuir
\(iIi \\aiigi & at Ilduistrial Istate oh 'Sioua Sugar ('onipaiuv, Uuliigouuia, oil ju1 16. I ku 1)00k, '' huicli Iiaol lvelu kept Master Robert (;itiiii inournhlig his iiwl/ier uiiider a i)ed iii IIIc hionse for thuiee (lays before being secretly buried iii a I O-ho >1-deef) grave, was (hiseoveled by hitiuiiauu lights uiionllc>is ii the (iisti'Rt 11(1 Iwa \Ioi I ni'eisitv Ieetunei. Mr Benson \\alnla. ihie ixdv was uxhuuiuuued ;iuvl taken to \loi I niversitv iuior(uiauv iii [Idoret here hiiidiiuu,s 1101)1 a l)o5ti1n)li'1i1 conducted by Dr (; .'. Buziha ievealed that her
ltp()>i(IuiuI. l\IIII>V;Ia.
((CIII>> 1(11 h\ Jot> IO( 'IIVI II I I(( \t ,IIII( )I. l)II>)ItII.
• / 99() - - /'( ,flI a II,,ui;ui I?,'/i ( UIIiInI:ioIi - Deaths from violence against women Quarters 1-3 (1996-1999)
4.1
35
2
20 n r H
• Jan-March • April-June E Juiy-Sept leO skull was broken and her neck twisted. hue of , tI'eil(l (hotul)IC violation is also well (lellIonstrate(l in cases of car jacking. On july 26 four man arme(l gang rai)ed it vonian oil NIonIl)aSa road aOer they had car jacke(l her oil \Iollil)asa Road in \airobi. 'I'luc woiian who was in the coiiipauuv of her daughter was attacked at 7.00 pm as she was going to her luuiara 1 )ai ii ia ho mc.
I )iscri i ii nat ioi u In the 11111(1 (ltldI'tCr of 1999, kI IRC recor(le(l 1.8 cases of harassullent. arrests and victimization l)V security l)erSolIiIei ol c()iunlcrcial sex workers. The statutes outlawiuig j)lostitlltioll in tile laud are (hiscriuIlinatorv against the leniale sex workers and outline no ('orrespon(linglv 1)1 UlitiVe measures against tI ue niak - tI ue 'client. A total of' 36 \VOIUCII according to K! I R( statistics were raped and sexually assaulted (luring the thlir(l quarter of 1999.
It is also instructive to note vhuicii euI of tile scale the state tips. \\iltIe rape as a Cilille carries a iiiaxiuiiuiii SCllteulCC of life iml)lisoulmeult Iuil(lel' Sectiol) 139 of ilk I'ciial (O(JC, C :7/) 0. ()/th( LaI ()/AC'iiIi, tiuc reality and l)1'a('11('(' in til( - ('(flirts, \VIIiC1I are Oil the \ViIOle very lenient oil SCX ('lillIC ohicI)(iers. Illakes Illock- ccv of this availal)le seulteluce.
.1('ii a Iluniaii J?j&'I,i.s C uI/1/uI1cI()lj • 199!) F. Violence Against Cbildren
The Kenya 1 Ininati Rights Coiniiiissjon nioliltors and dociinieiiis violations vis- ite(l (>11 cliil(lielI tI icy are a VIiliieFal)le gr()tij). Betvecit .Jiil aiI(l SCj)teilIl)er. 21 (liil(lI'CJi (Iie(1 lioiii vi()lcilce by iclativ&s or f)eOJ)le closc to llieiii.
Iliree year 01(1 1aiiIiiie \)eIi WeitI lilissing Iioiii licr I\igaiijo. 'Iiiika. 1U)iIIe foi lour (la\s l)Ch)iC
11(1 little i)Odv was 101111(1 oiiJiilv 1, (lliilil)e(l iii aiiiaiic f)Iantation. The !Flisti ig nil au!. who had hceuu left iii the care of her elder sisters I )elor she (Iis;Ipl)eare(I, had heeit raiucd. lieu eves goluge(l oil!. then killed.
'I'lic l)0(l\ I)! lui luln(lelilifie(l inhus(u\ 5(11001 gui who had 1401IC unissluug \V15 10011(1 Iii a slialloiv 21a\e ii \\Ill1atlui area of \;nvaslia. Fhie girl had i)eeIl lal)e( 1 and uilIiudcre(l buf'olv l)eillg dis- f)ose(1 vitii.
.\ii liilliaiiie(I staiI(1;ui(t 1\v(, f)liIu1Ii 5(1100! boy It'()Oi (;1R'lia l)istnci was a(iliIitie(1 ulll() tiuc lisii l)istrict I lospital iii critical coll(Iitioii ;if icr slisialinlig nuil)erotis })11ca1 illitilics iuu the hu;iuuds of his luIier who h)(kcd hull Ill) iii a iioiise for one 11100111. the \ictuiuus father li;ud. lii the iiaiie of "iiistilluuug (liscij)luilc iii his soil. l)Oliie(l a iX)lle(1 liuixtlii( of walcr ulil(l l)aialiiii Oil his I)iitLOckS, and caiicd 111111 iepeate(llv i)ef oie locking liiiii iii) to iiiiise his \VOlilI(lS.
A 12-year-old girl. Iaiull1hl Sillikui. Was iapeoi by a filt\-VCal-0l(l uleLil. 1I)iahilll Al)di (laflilo), a iepe;tt sexual ()liCil(ler. ill the lutllii ROl)a estite of Isiolo town. Besides the ('XtCl Lsi\C (tal nage iilfliCte(I Oil her h)riVate parts, the youlig gui, who was exalliuiie(i l)V (lo(lOrs at the Isiolo I )istrict I IosI)ital. was also rel)orIe(l to have gone ii)t() shock. NIr Al)(hi was arueste(l on the eveilulig of July 14. but the I Iusseiii Sora Fouindaiioii lr I Iiiinaii Rig! Its and 1)cniocracv, iii a CO1TC5J)0ii(l- ciice to 1`111\ requesting Or legal aid and advice for the \ietinl, exl)icsse(1 their i'eservations on whether the case would be carile(l to its just coiicluisioii owuiig to the culprits "links to uiilliieiitial personalities in the 1)istrict".
12 lotibta, N.ilud: /ina/e 6'nit;iI11wiI.oiio,i;.t ('a/i ioi (,'iohai lcnm; 21 Rcpoiicol by die I tii'.cuii Soua l'oIiiiiIaLioii lor I Iiiun.iii Righu, and I)eiuioxiaev. Isiolo.
a IIii,n;ui 1?igiii.c (')Ii)Iiil:c.ri()Ii • /9!)!) - _____- ______- 15 A 1 5-vear-old SchOol i)OV and an 11 -year -old priniarv school girl were taken to the Kitui District I lospital on july 2, for treatment after the' were SOdOnhiZC(1 and raped. The girl sustained raptures to her private parts and the l)OV, \V11() required stitching to repair the damage he sustaille(i, was adnhitte(i iIlt() tile lios- I)ital. flRmgh its diflicult to if1011itol', Female Genital Mutilation (F(;M) it is evident that the practice is still upheld in some parts of Kenya. This is mainly so in Merit and Kisii districts. The consequences that F'GM imposes upon these Female victims are both several and severe, and are experienced 1)0(11 in the short and long-term.
A Ihurtecit-vear-old girl from Mciii North l)istrict died of 1)rolusc i)leeding at Nvamnl)ene Nursing I Ionic fioni injuries iilhlicte(l (luring an FGM 'ceremony'. Rose Cionjira Kaumbuthiu bled for more than 12 hours after the secret cer- CfllOIiV l)efoi'C medical attention was sought for her.
The challenges posed in the documentatioti (>1' FGM are almost crippling. In- formation only comes to light only when its explicitly hiaiinful physical nianifes- tations beconie apparent; in cases such as result in the death of the victim. The practice as a human rights issue and violation in itself is cloaked in such invisihil- it\', that the statistics of kmale children who have had to undergo) the practice 'safd', vet sulki' lik-long sexual, psychological, mental aiid other fom -nis of trauma, (10 not exist.
i; A'e,im, human 14u'/jis (11iIi1i:ss1011 • F. Banditry
Deaths from Banditry: Quarters 1-3 (1 996-1 999)
10
140
WL1
Ri
U__.. -(•. ______
40
20
- -
Banclitrv continues to be one ol the most j)iOlR)UhlCC(l CflISCS 0! iiisectiritV. The iflal)ilitV of the g 'eiiiincnt to take specific IIieLSUrCS against this menace is a loud stateirieiit on the goverluilent s laxity in fiilhlliiig its 0l)ligalR)ll of , j)roviding security to its people. In the months of juIv-Septeniber. .58 people (liC(l from l)all(litrv. Ihere were also 37 rel)orte(l illci(tents that (hi(1 not result III (leath but vlucli led to iiijtlries all(l extensive loss )f 1)Iol)CitY and (liSflhl)tR)n 0! liVelilIO( d.
This is (leSf)ilC the fact that (lie causes of l)aiI(hitrv are well known, are i )re(hical)Ie and 1)revei1tLi)le. 1)uriiig (lie last quarter a liia]oritv of the ilici(leIlts ieI)olte(l are iii 1510k), (;arisa. \Iaiakwct Pokot and 'l'iirkaiia areas. ihiese are traditionally l)ail(litrv J)FOIIC al-eas. hoiii our reports, it is 0l)ViOtiS that iii Isiolo, Saiiibuiiu, Baiagoi and (;arissa, tile iiicideiits of h)afl(lit rv I iae I)CCi1 IUCIIC( I l)\' the ('oiIIl)e- (it ion For pasture and \Vateiillg points (hue to (hi'ought. Ihie saiiie is true of , most of the ii lci(lelits in 1'iirkai ia.
Iii Isiolo, the 1)C John Egesa admitted that ;ill attack on the weekend (f july 1 \Vas sparked ( )f 1 1w (lisl)tttes over j)iist Lire aui(h Water l)et\veemu herders In )l1) lsiol( and thim- (;arissi eouilIterj)alts revolving around Sluiinbile water point. lii the atta(k four l)eol)ie vere kihle(l. ( )n the uiight of July 1, amiotlier four people were killed by l)ail(lits at I litni SIil)-lOUiLti011. Seri(llo) (liVisloll. Isiolo 1)istrict. Light
A'ni., IIii,i,an /?,.,'Jii. ( 'o/luh1iion • I9!1. 1 - - 17 others, seven voiiien and a iiiaii were seriously iiijtiicd. Ilie l)C said that the tiack came alter lllenil)ers ol the wbilton ('kIll 110111 (;l1i55a (listlict iliove(I to (lie area vliic1i had elflOVe(l sOilie lalliS to gia/.e. lie WaS (ltlOtC(l liv the press as saving ti lat clash ies 1)etweeil the Iwo groiis was 'i ioiinal.
Ii IC lak ()1 (livCrSlIie(l (levelol)iIicIIt agenda by the goveiiuiieiit has made it i1l1JR)sSil)ie for the PeoPle lioni those areas to get ( itlier sotiiCes of iiicoiiie which i can ciishiioii them from the vagaries of tile weather. lii tile elisulilig situaii(>il 01 scarcity, violent ilici(lents will continue to escalate. On the oilier hand, a iialI(is (>11 ;ittitIRle that is (hlscelliii)le Iioiii tile ('elitial go\erllIflelIl has iiieaiit that local Va1lOr(lS, gumi l(IIilIeiS and etiiiiic chiiehaiiis coiitiiille to call the shioiis in their own interests. Iii sonic instances, 1)aIl(litrv iiicioleiits Ii;tve hc(l to ethnic aiiiiliosit\ as iiidivioluah coiiiiflhiiiities and claus seek revenge against their adversaries.
In Pokot and \ laiaket areas, ham I(hitrv has l)eell iiilltieiiced by the age 0)1(1 (Ui- timual tradition of cattle uustlnig. Once again. kiiliure to (IeVeloJ) th(' legion has lelt the iulhlai)italIts with no choices. licuice the prouiiinence Of cattle rustling. Ihims has also) h)ceIl lurthier been comlij)hicatc(l by local ethnic rivalries and the l)m('s- ence ()I belligerent lR)iiticialls.
G. Death Penalty
In the last three months, the KHRC recorded 65 death sentences by Kenyan courts. Although Kenya has not earned out any death Sentence for over a dec- ado death sentence remains on the Kenyan books.
The KI-IRC monitors death penalty as it is a violation of (lie right to life and amounts to cruel. inhuman and degrading punishment. The International Rihl of I Juman Rights, the Convention Against Torture and the Kenya constitution guarantees the right to life and the freedoni from torture, cruel and inhuiiian treatmeiit of punishment.
The death penalty all over the world has been exposed as an ins(riinient of discrimination against vulnerable sectors of the society. The (leatli penalty in Kenya has also been luse(l as an instrument of intiniidation against political opponents of the government as happened in the case of Koigi Wamwere.
Other than in the case of niurder, most suspects On capital charges in Kenya have no legal aid. This increases their vulnerability with regard to (lie death penalty.
I - - At in a Iii iin;iii /?i.,Jji. ( vfl1nns.ioi.' • /99!) H. Prison Conditions
ReI)OIls I r )ll1 prisonS (OlutilItle to iI1(ii(41C that Iile\ ale illvalual)iv OVCr(T0\V(le(l, tiiuluvgieiuic and lIIlsaIliIarv all(l lkiSi(ali\ Ullilt h)l iiiiiuiati ildl)ilatioll. liucie ic- )rts have i)CCil in existeilce I( >r t lifetime and c()lil(l origiiiailv have been cx- 1)kIiill'(I by tlue fact iii.it tile state was iilteleste(l in keeping prisons iii these appall- hug cOhl(litiOilS for political reasoi is: to (liscolnage ;hI)(l (ieter political (lissent be- cause those wiu) cilgagc(l in it \V( nih! know that they were ( les(iiIC(l for the bad COl 1(1 itiol 15 ill j)ris( )115.
!odav. this exl)laluation iivav not be tile ovelri(lihlg FC5Oh1 why f)lisOIl C011(Iiti0lIS in Kenya ale iIlt( )leral)le. The iuvp()tilesis here \ouf(l l)C ii lat tile clear patteill of political aJ)atilv towards )FiSolu5 UI Ketiva is because tlie are not lucrative, not \en viSil)le and hot very PoPhilar With Keiivaiis.
The i)iggest share of , tile i)lame for this (lCfiluilelv Jests viiii the state l)ecause l)iisoll coll(Iitions ill Keilva are cruel, (legla(hilig and iluiHullalu. 'Fhis contravenes not (mly interiiatioivai luiiiivaii rights legislatR)n I)lit'diS() (lolnestic legislation in tile lonu of tiue ('otustittitiotu of , Kenya and ii ie PnSolls Act.
Consequently, tilde is a bleacil of tile Itindallielulals of these (0ntriCts. \ioreo- ver. given the 1996 Kanlpala 1)eciaratioiu ( )f Prison and Penal Rekwiius . the Ketuvati goveniluueiut has colliliulUed itself to working with civil society towards the ilull)rovenleilt of piisoii coll(litiolls in tue (OUntr\. The govcrlliuleiit was lel)reSCllte(I by the ('olluilhissioluer of Fiisoiis. Mr Edward IA)1)okovit in tile ('Oil- !creiuce iea(hiiug up U the Kaiuipaia 1)eciaration.
'let to(Iav, the hI IR( has iuot l)eeti ai)ie to olgailize luiiiuuaiu rights irieiudi ac tivi- ties \Vii ii tue Pi'is( )llS I)epari iuleilt Sf )ecificaiiv i)ecause Mr IA)I)okOvit relulains liliavailah)ie to authorize these. 11w hI I R(_' had \vritteii to pray for his ati(lielucc at the earliest coluvel nellie. I A)pokovih respoiude(l and asked tlue hI 1 RU t( ) call on telepiloile him U) arraiuge tins iuuceling. ( )n calling. hi IR( was asked to write agaili to make ii e sail ic request. there has been a change h r tue worse in plisoil comI(litiolis since 1996 viueiu the KH RU rec()rde( 1 an average (lead I rate ol th iree a day. ..\nd hue teiliiig reality is that woluleli and ciIll(lreli ill prisons bear tile lllUl brunt of these brutish con(hi- lions.
Iu,na Ii,iii,;,ii 1?i/iis (' Ii,InIcs,o,l • 119f1 - ---- - 19 Ilic foII()\viilg Cases (JcaIIV illustrate our ;trgiiiiieiit. Oii Scptcinhcr buy (;Rlu)ki's Iaver Philli1) \Iiuior and Gaclu >kis wiR '\eIe (Iuilied access to see him at Kaniiii iiiaxinium prison. 1'he smile was cc- j)catc(l oil Sel)teliil)cr P \VlicIi iiiiuiiaii rights activists ;uI(l the itiedia weuc re- I)oi1C(1 to have ieeii (leifled access (() seeing (;aciioka at the j)1isoii. It was ( )ilIv alter (IcIil)ciatioIis i)ct\veCil the lavvci's all(i J)nsoii wardens that his lawyer was aIlo\ve(l to see himi aii(l later his VIIe.
I,CSi(lCS aC('('ssil)ilit\. J)iisOii ( ii(hitiOiis have also c iitiiiued to clami more vie- tItUs. II H.' J.a.ci .1/iu'aii .SI;uit'I;ur/( 1 Aiigtisi 1 7 i'ep( )itc(i that a reit iaIi(I J)risoi let', \lilioii Ar;ijo \lakwava. (lic(l at Nakuiieg;i Piovuiicial general hiosl)i[al while iii- (lergoiiii4 tic iiiiieiit. ftc \Vai'(leiis ieftisc(1 to reveal the iiatiiic of ills 'iiIiiieiit.
John Cithoro, an 'East African \\'ilhiaiii Karitiki, a finiicr ill \vcii was ref)ouie(i oui Standard: correspondent Septcinhci • to have (lied due to a disease lie had based in Miori and kuria was (oiiliaCte(l iii prisoui. I Ic hia(l l)CCit arresic(l togethci' committed to civil jail for 2 with other 20 lariiiers and ciiarge(1 with calisiiig a months in kisli main prison. (listtiui)auice (lilting the takeover of \dia-iiii (011cc This is his statement about IC I ( ) iv. the conditions at the prison. Ilk (01111 of appeal sitting iii \[oiill)asa oil july 21 ordered the iliquest iilto the (leatli ul a prisoner \VhiO had died at Shiiiiio Ia lewa I)ti(>ii. I ioiig() hipi, lla(i ai)I)eale(1 to a (leatli sentence liiii)Ose(l on him ahl(l was l)eiilg hiel(i at the I)riM)iI i)v the time of his (heath.
Iii I'%itiii I)iiSoIi. f)1II - people were rel)orte(l (lea(1 from ValiOliS ailiiieutts.
\ame I I( )i tic I )ate ( )I 1)catl i ('misc \lit'hiatl \\'aveiii I\iamiil)II 27; 799 T.B Joshua Miitia 'I'uihia-\Iwiuigi I lSPP \i(ls I"iuiiiuia \Ivikva \Ittiouiio IYI)hl0i(l lctcr \\'auidia htliookve-l'.itui 209/9) \Ialaiia
Conditions at Kisil Prison Iii the puson, one of the leading cause of (lealh is siarv;itioui .Most iliniates are Forced h)v (.irciuiiistaul(cs to sell ihicim i)eloilgimigs e.g. ch)Ihles, shoes an(l helts to raise iiiouieV to h)rii)e tile \Vai(leuls to get thieni extra 100(1. Some cveui try smug- ghiitg the miioiiev ihitougli tile gates 1w iiidiiig it iii their private i)art. I lowever, the vardeuis scarch tlieiii and vhieui they get the 111011ev, tlic\ just wash it aml(i pocket
Reported by MUIR) Ndana, KJIRC Monitor. Kitui
90 ---- Ac'iii;, Iluiiiaii I?ji.,'/ji.s ( ()I111II/.,sIO1/ • 1!99 it. The pnsoner caught with the nioiiev is then seiiteiiced in it kangaroo court to a weeks ili1J)1isOIilliCIit oil it hail a ration of , 100(1.
The J)I0l)lCl1i ( )1 lack of 100(1 15 \VOrseIle(i by ti ie lack of j)FOj)CF lne(hication. 1)ruigs are said to mysteriously disappear while some are to be clianiielkd to tile local private clinics and chemists within the town. I lence, the sick inmates get Un(ler- (loses. Aiiv quelieS results III l)eatillgs by (lie war(lei)S and two iiuirscs assigned there. A senior prison official colllesse(l to its that ci lorts to get the nurses transierreol br nlistreatilig the inmates were irustrateol by some Powerful
As ii the l)eatings are no )t enough), to test vhietIier an liunate is sick, the nurses )oUr cold water on 111111 and 11, 11c (toes not resp mci, he is carrieol with a stretcher to tile (liSirict lioSl)ital where only the lucky ones survive.
Overpopulation is another prol)lcnl. \Vhiile tile I)i'IsOn is supposed to 1101(1 SOO iillllatcs, it 1101(15 hf) to 1200. II uS brings ill f)rol)ienls of diseases oliic to l)OOF diet, 11111 iv coiioiitiouis. lack of cli )tl hug, mattresses, and i)lal)kets. \ lost inn uates walk half i iaked and sleep oti (01(1 floors making ii ieiil sIlscej)til)le to pneoinu - nia. A prisoner has to l)ril)e so as to get uuniforiii, a blanket amid a mattress.
(_)ccasionally, there are no meals clue to Frequent shortage of firewood, illaize imleal and vatei. \ Ic)st l)IIS1I1C5S l)')Ple with t('il(ICFS to sti I)l)l\ tl iese comnioclities have pithed 0)11 (tue to 11011 paniei1t roll) the goveruhinunt.
Prisoumers ofall kiiud are iiiixcd iii time Same oeII l)e they l)e uiitinlcreis, rol)bers or those ill civil tail. Ihiouughi j)1iSoilelS \Vitll l'.B are kept separately, they still share the Saille bo (1 vitl I the Otilers. To iiiake thiiiigs worse, there are some cells with- out toilets where ill ulmates ilave to brhl)e to lie allowed to go and relieve theni- 1.3 selves 111 the uleighll)ouuriilg wards.
Kofliaa Prison Jacob ( )tieilo Adeilga was ane steol (>11 ,Juiie 23 as a theft suspect and reihlailded at Kodiaga p115011 oil JUIIC 2. I Ic stave(l tluere iuuitil OctOi)er 0, Vh1el1 he was acofuuitte(1. lohloiwing are Ills oi)servatiouls. ihie inlhiates are overcr( )\V(IC(l Ill tile clomitones and there 110 space to stretch or
I(JR)Il&d by ()kn>Jaiiak, F'I 1I(' \Ioiiini. Migorli
Ae,iia fIIll1L/l) /?!g/iIS (OlflhiI/.c.S/()I) • 1999 -- - -- - 21 Sled) heelv. Reiiiaiid ill mates are 1)( )1 l)ix)vi(lC(l with l)laIiketS and mattress an(l have to 51CC!) ()It the hard floor. Soap is not j)rovi(Ied and hence skim i diseases are veiv (oilIiflOhi. Al least )() )C1 ('Clii of the rCnIaiI(leeS suffer victims of skiii (Ii sease s.
Corruption is high at Ko(liaga and is one of the lilajor prol)IeillS facing the in- mates. II one is sick, you caii never be given hlle(hciiic or taken to tile iiifirniarv if \Oti do 1101 l)iil)e. Relatives wi io ('( niie to visit i ullist 1)111 )C tile \VaJ(1CIiS to ) be alIowe(I to see you. This call ii us tVf)e (>1 l)riI)e a call l)0X..
II e li)o(I served to the iii illates is not f)roperlv cooked and the I ji is veiv (lilute. ii me long serving prisoners, 1 'rtistees, vlio are resf)onsil)le for serving the oil icr J)iisolwis keef) most of ii from the prisoners and then sell it . Acontlim1er (called mnururu) of beans sells for leli shillings.'
'I'huere is it lot to be (lone Ofl Keiìvan l)risoils. Jui(hicial officers have to begin visitii ig j)iiSOilS to i nonitor il iem its Pi'o\Rie(h lkr iii if ie Prisons Act. 'l'l ie goveri I- nuent shoIIl(l allow independent Inillian rights ol)servers into p1150115 to momuitor the coii(lit ions there. \Iore( ver, the goveriimllelul cami work with interested groups to improve prisoil coilolitiomus. It should also initiate the i)eceSsarv Penal m'eli)rmlls to give a legal lranue\vork fi a liuniaiue I )ris( )ilS svsteiui.
The local and ilulerilational ('onlilituility iiee(ls to exert pr'ssiui'e on the Kehuvail g)verIlilleilt to 1)0111 iI)ll)l'oVC prison ('oil(litioius and allow iii(Iel)eildeiit NG( )s
vithi an interest iii l)I'iSOilS eiuli\' to into f)l'iS011s to iliOluitOl' the ('Oi)(litioils Illere. 'I'l ic luuiinami rights coilliliunitv needs to conliiiue exposing the terrible prison coiuditioiis ill Kenvails as well as the govelmIlluclils lack of political will to ihil- prove them as a illatiei' of course .All(l tllev also llee(l to keep 0)11 ediucatiilg the pLui)lic Oil the iiilIx)rtallce ola liumiiiaiie prisons regimlue iii the couimitrv. h>m' tile ln()llleult, one can oill\' iivarvel at tile go)verililleills iiulr;ulsigeiuce oil the issue ( )f j)11501i ('OIi(liti( )llS. L)J)OkOVit i'eI)laillS u iii;iv;ulabie to ) th( se interesteol In penal and prison ref ornis while the iiiuniediate brmller Minister lr I IonIc Affairs, Mr Sluarril'Nassir coiiiiuieiiteol iii \lav 1999 that there was nothing \vroiig with prison coiulitioiis iii Kemiva because prisois are 1101 hotels. (_ouhd this be time uiiiofhcial policy of tIle keiivan goverilnleiIl:
l't>11(t t) ()tiiv ()iiit. I,t I1( tOl)1l(I. '\V1l1(l() (t.1ii('1
22 -- - -- -- -- -- Iiiiii II,,,,i;,n /?iq'Iii.c ( OIlJlIJ/."SI(l) • / 991)
II. Police Brutality, Arbitrary Arrests and IrreuIar Circumstances 01 Detention
Summary of incidents of arbitrary arrests
July August September Swoops and 'security operations' 36 130 1047 Politically niotivate(l arrests 36 Irregular circumstances of detention - - 1 Others - 9 -
Police Swell ps an 'Security Operations'
POli(C S\VOOi)S are oi )erati( )Iis ti lat result iii iiuliseiiii iltiate ;uresls ol )eo1)k' 0511- ally iii low ilicoille reSi(lellual areas. The polce jiistil the S\VOOj)S as eXei('ises iIlIeIi(lC(! at re(lIiciIlg (lililillal activitcs. The target ol these ia11l)aIit violations are liiaiIil\ (lie j)oor, under piivilege(I, and thiciclore fli()Fe \tIlIienI))le sections and i)CiS0iiS lii sOciety, 1.w liltigeeS iesi(hiilg iii 1\.eilva. Iii the last qiiarteraloiie.
K! I1(( (k)CIUlieIite(l a total oh 1 21 13 victims 0! p()ii(e swoops aIl(l Sectiiit\ op- elatiolis as a loini oh LIl)itllI\ arrest: all average oh I 3 people ('\CIV (lay.
Iii all (N('I(ise dul)be(l O/)(/;1/IJl : vhicli loosely tniiislates to Operatioui ('leaii-I 'p' or ( )peratiolu Rid the ('it\ ol hitli, a (onii)nied team oL\diniuiistra- tioii 1 )O1Re, (;eneral Service I. iiit an(i 1 -cgular poli(e olliceis (ounl)e(l thuotigli the (;;itvikii;i, \Ial\iuia aul(l Laiiii Sal)a areaS 0! Naii)l)is I\ii)ent sliiiiis oil July
2 I ;uuicl irested 36 pe( )j)le. '!'l Ic Lu.t ;1117( 1/! .S/aJI(/aJ(/ hiutI ie rel)orte(i that the n'si(lcIits (oiill)lailue(i that the oh!iceus (oIi(hiictillg the 0I)C1at)1l CFC ()uilV inter- este(l iii ext( )utlulg nlouIevaII(l teri(risluig tiieiii.
( )ui Septeuiiber 12, al)oiIt I7 h)eoh)le were arrcste(l (Itirilig a police swoop ui (;aiussa town (ouidiictc(l alter a break-in on a gauage aunh tile suui)se(Iuent tlieh ol Ivies aiR1 aSsorte(l spauiuiers. Coiiiiiieiitiuig on tI ie arrests, the Garissa (X'Pl), Alphonse Kaiiuuiie, said that his patience had uiiii out, aui(l that lie \'OUI(1 "iIltI()- (lute !aiiothierl uiew tactic to liah all the hard-coie bandits" iii tile tO\\ii .
Aceonliuig 1() the La,si ,1Ii7(uJ .SiaIi(kI/(IOlSej>teilihei I, ()ilC thiOtisaii(1 Souiiali, Ehtieaui, ;uid Ethiopian (itizeuis wIre arrested ni all fllteilsiVC iiotise-to-liouise
JJiini;iii I?ii.,/ji.s ( ojiinn.ccion • 1991 - — - - 23 seai'eli iii the l'istleig}i, I Iuniiiia, Kii \Iaiko, Soko \Ijinga, I'.avaiigvan' ;iiid Kaiigeiiii Csa(es of NaiI'ol)i. Iliese areas, i(leiililR(l as Nairol)is erili1e-J)l'oi]e areas, are also, some of Nairobi's less affluent areas. Ilie eriine cited. loi' vliicli SO inaii' \\'eie arl)iti'ai'ilv at'i'ested. Was that the vielilils were illegal ilnhlIigi'alIls.
Oii 11 Septcinl)er in (Jiel)kllbe sill) location in iiioi,uit Hgoii district, two wit- foriiieol 1x)hice oUicers atta('lleol to (llel)klibc patrol base arrested 7 I veal' 0)1(1 Petei' ('hieiiiotioii at his house and eotifiiied liiiii at ilie base for five olavs vitliotit eiiargiilg hun.
The poliee had taken the action after ('lieinoi'ioii (hisagi'eed vitli his son l'red kiiiiiiiosi over the sharing ol Ins l;iil to his sons. Kiniiiiosi had eoinl)laiiled that had been given the stil;tllesl shiai'e. I lowever, ('lieiiionoii stood his ground and said that since I\iiiiitio5i huRl at(>l). he had a was' of earning a liviiigaiid was better oil coiiipai'e to tIle lest (f' tile faiiiilv iiieiiibers.
()tiiilv 17. 1 'geiiva \IP,Jaiiics Oreiig() and two) of his aides. ;\uidi Ogada tnol 1)aii ( )niolo were arrested and oktaiiieoi ivhiei) they visiteol Kisiiiiiui Police Sta- tion. lucy had gone to demand fr tile i'eleae of over 3(X) IIIa/,'iIu touts anested
I mup i/' a 'nla'n '/ii'.v aires/ed/ur "Ia ha ii i/fe t nuiiIn' ///f/t/u:
I - - - ------ I't•iii a ilwiiaii Ri/ii.s (nziiiii:Ioi, • earlier iii the (la\ for allcgc(lIv flouting the iicwlv intl o(IuCed IranSj)orl I icens- tug Board rules. The three were denied hail and cllai'ge(I in a Viliiga court with illUiteiflelit to violence and taking pail it an iuilawhul aSSemi)lV. The legislator U)(l hits ai(les were finally released on July 20 on a ON 1 0,000 1)011(1 each and sureties of a siiiiilar alli( nit it.
Iii a I)ajIiA,tjoji report ofjttiv ), police chieF Philenlon Ai)()Iig() a(hltitte(1 that A2() jx>ple had been arrested and chiarge(I with of fences i'ciated to coililucino- tative CVCI)tS ltcl1 ( ) iii.irk £il.'a .Sa/)a (lay in the country, all event that had c)i1l- clde(t with a coulltrv-widc lilatalu strike.
17 Liba £,/,a is a (lay iiiarkcd, uinofliciallv, and largely b the Opposition al)(1 O)posi- 11011 svullf)athliscrS, on July 7. It dates back to 1991 when it major olcnioiisiration was by of)f)OSitioIl figures calling for a ictuili to nuhltij)aitV (Ieinocracv.It is Or this reason that tile (Liv 1111(1 any conlmclu()iativc activities are vicwe(l with abhorrence 1w the state. +
Aciii a IIuiii;ui 1?ij/ii.c (')I11111/:1D/1 • 1999 - ------2.5 Ill. Civil Kihts and [iberties A. Freedom of Speech and of the Press l)ata collected by (lie Rtiiva I Iiiiiian Rights (onilnissloil (hi IR() iiI(hicale a (tefillite tieiitl of (lctelioratioil \Vithi regar(l to the Ies])ect of freC(loiii of speech aii(1 of the press. Ill (tic second half of 1998, the hi I RC recorded 20 cases ol al)llse of the fiee(lolli of expression. This figure increased to 33 Iii the lust half (f 1999 \\lli (ii represents a 7) ii icrease iii abuse of the freedom of expression iii h.ciiva.
Ilk 1I-IR( lecOi(1C(1 2 I ('dses 0! al)Ilsc ni the tIllr(l quarter of 1999. Assuiiiiiig a sittijiar rate of abuse iii the huiili (filarter. this \\olIl (1 add tip 10 13 cases of al)llse iii the secon(i hiahlof I P99. Ilie fact of the matter here is that these figures ale oii the cotiservative side because of the fact that the K1IR(''s iiloiiitoiing capacity is over stretchle(l hue to lack of adequate resoilices.
Aiiothiei specific proi)Ielli that laces tIle \iIi(hlealioii of the iieeoloin of exj)reS- sioii iii Kenya is that it is tla(litioiiallv (iehulie(l veiv iiariovlv l)v the authorities. h)l it oloes hot iiIcllI(fe (lie right to inhrmatioli or (lie rrill 1() kiio as a specific Is (0) lii] )( ) iie lit.
Ill(leC(i. iii the work of tile NI I RC iii the thiiixl quarter of 1999, the right to know katured very proillinclitly iii its advocacy work . Iii its case against the Govern- ing (oiiiiciI of the Keiiva saiionah 'iiieatre iii WhICII the Kenya Associ;ition of Ilica(re Artists (NA IA) enhiste(l and 1eceive(1 the 5li])j)Olt of the hi I RC. the key i)road issue has been oii the right of IsAL\ and indee(h all Kenvans to oleinatul and receive iiiforniatioii from plli)hic bodies: iii tins case tile Governing (3ullciI of tile Kenya atioiial i'iteatre.
The (;oei -iiiiig Council has i)eeli reltictaiit to release aii\ specific information on its ole;iliiigs with the \orfoIk 110k]. wInch has been erecting a vahI around tlie precincts of tile Kenya >atioiiai lhieatic. creating a hot ()f slishHcioil aiid c()iiceril uwuig the lnenih)ers of KAI.\ who fear that tins is the first step towards their exclusion fioni the elIjovInehil of the physical kicilltics oliercd by the theatre.
Iii this whole scehIaiio, it ihl be ilitelestiilg to see how tile issue of tile right to know pfavs out and how. if it is asked. tf le judiciary will interpret the violation o>I
;\ (anip.tign on the Iglii > Killm was ieee iitk tauiicIte(t tn 111C ketiviu ('inij)lci ot the Iiiierii;iiicni;iI (iniitiiiioii ot jtirii ((('I - 1') - - - - -- I'ciii a Iluniaii /?ii,'//l.c ( ' inun..ini • /999 this right in this case. \Vliatever the case, the experience of the klIRC in this struggle I ias reiterated the urgency for cOinj)icl icilsive dcinuciaiic coiistittitioiial reloiiiis to ciihiaiice the rights olahl keiivaiis.
buy (,a(h( )ka was convicted ai 1(1 s('uuteiRC(I to SIX iw>ntlis iiiif)risonmcilt by the Court of Appeal for pul)lusliing two articles iii tile nuagaziuie that acclisc(l ilueti Chief Justice Z.A. ('hesoni and sonic oilier senior ju(Iges ui the ju(liciarv of' ('OiTLil)tiOii iii its liaui(lluuig of the (;okk'uib'rg case.
The Attorney ( ,eii(rdh CitC(I ( ; dcl uoka f( )i' ('()i lien 11)1 and (1 uief justice Cliesoni c< )ulstituitC(l it seeui-erson I )Cl icli, vhiichi iuichuudcd three of I lie judges adversely iiieiitioiìeul ii) the (;acl ioka article, to hear this case. I'hierc were two clear flaws here: the Fact ii iat the late Chiesouui was the one who had couistilute(1 the c )Iirl and the Fact that three of the jui(iges iii that court had l)eeii uuuuel by Gachioka iii the articfes fr which lie was cited for couteiilf)t.
Iii Fairness, the late ('liesoni sii()ul(l have left the matler ol constituting the l)eflch to ii ie judges of ii ic Court of Appeal who were not adversely ivauucd by Gachuoka's article. 'I'huis is because oiic of the biggest c in iponents of justice is perception which is vhi there is a notorious dictillil applied iii all cases stating: h r uisticc iriulsu only be (lone but also he ni:umiifestiv l)e well to have been (lone. Since (I iesoni was the main ficuis of the Gachioka article, the perception ( ibviouislv would 1)e ii uat lie woutf(l select ju(lgcs svlilj)atluctic to him to flear ti us case.
Subsequently. (;aci ioka was (leuuie(l an ( )f poriu ii uit' to f )rcscuut witnesses and coil- duct his delcuice >uallv li >1 SOUIC spurious j)ioce(1(Iri1 reasons. Clearly, this was aulothuer violation oF his right to a Faiu trial. OF this, the univ disscuutiuug judge iii the case, ,Justice Evans Gichueru iiote(l iii his oiling, "hhlailure to allow the first resj )oll(leiut ((;acl ioka) to (,, ive oral evi(Iemuce on I us own hel ialf...would an i( )unt to a breach of one of tile rules of proce(huire Such a breach would he a material irreguularutv (liseuititling tIle first respon(leiil a faiu trial...
But ultimately, the 1)1)iggest, thuueat to the f'reedoni of exiuressioul lies in the fact that the law on comutemlil)t of court is not clear. Exactly what is coiuteinh)t of court is not defined and thus gives the court \ery wide (hiscretioui iii the iuuterf)retaiioul of tItus (luestioli. And, Imuui the (;achuoka case, one can see the (hangers of suichu a wi(le (hiscuclioii. given the Fact that Keuivas jui(ficiarv does not have a hiistouv of track rec >1(1 of ii u(lepeii(leu ice. lleu ice, if uen is a need to urgeiutiv review tI uc law ( )f (Oiuteiui)t iii 1sciiva.
Aeiiii, i],i,ii;,n I?i,/i ( '(nnIllI.'s/uIl • 099 - -- 27 Gac/zoka being after being sentenced to prison for six months
Ihe l)lame for tile coiitraveiitioii of tile fuil(IailIcntaI aii(1 inaiieilal)1e right to the lFeC(h()i1l 01 CXI)leSSiOil hnaliv reposes in the stale. This is becauSe not only is the Kenvan State nilierentiv i)olm(l by the social contract that exists l)etWeeIl an government and its citizenry to guarantee and honour time whole gamut of liii- man rigi its, but it has also got a constitutional aiii international human rights oI)higatioll to guarantee Al these fundamental hmuimman rights (hue to time fact that they are emishirimied iii the (oiis1itiition of Kenya and (lie interiiatioimai hiunman i-ighmt instrtuuents that the state has ratified.
The c()IItiaVeilti(>11 of hmummian mights is thins a 1)1-each of time Social comitract, the Constitutional contract amid tile Intermiational I lunman Righs c()ntnlCt that the goverimimient has entered into with time people.
28 ----- ------ ---- - 1hunim Riqhts Commili.4011 • 1999 B. Independence of the Judiciary
FhcToiiv (;i ioka ('ae
Ilie iii(lei)CiI(leilcC of the Ketivan Itl(liciarV has long i)eClI a SIii)jCct ol cotitro- versial (lei)ate. Ihe tine test )f \VIletIieI (lie Li(liCilYV is ill(lef)eli(lCflt Was 1)111 to the test (ilirilig the trial and slii)se(flielit (Ol1\i('ti(>il of buy (;chioka, tite 1)111)- lisi icr ( )I a weekly iiiagaziiie, lYle J'o,i oh Sini'/au The issue niise(I ill()FC (1CI)ilte whet i sooti alter Bernard (iii uiga ho prosecuted the case was elevatc(l 10) the post of (hieljtisiice. lohlowulg is an aiialvsis of the illlf)iicatioils of Cilliliga's Ii]t.1•iIs1III1p
G )(l/.\ilai i save kenya." \\it It these \\oi (ls, former political I)r15011(rS ('( )fl- eluded a statellleilt protesting the appoiultilleilt of former Director of Public Prosecutions Bernard Cliiiiiga as tile ('Iiieh'Justice of Kenya iii SepteIull)er 1999.
Ilie lmilie(hiate ieasoii 1(11' this outrage and hiei!)iessllcss is clear: ('hiituigi pros- ectited the trials of IthSt l)eol)le aIicste(i for political reasons. The accused were l)rolLglIt to court vitliotit lla\'iiig had a chance to consult le gal counsel. this was (lone late iii the evenings wiieii iiori'iiai court lieariuigs had already I)eeii hutalized viiichi (leiiie(l the accused aii\ (Ilallee of , euigagiilg legal coiiiisei. 1'liithiCr, those 'vhi() c()u111)Iaiiie(l ol torture were eithlei ignored ou' hai'ailglied by Chutiga.
ihie af)j)oilitluei'lt OF tile ('hiiciJ , isticc iii Kei iva is vested ill tile Pi'esideiit. file fact of , [lie itialtel' is that the eiioi'nioiis IX)\Veis \t'iel(le(l by (lie 1)iesi(ieult vitli i'egaixl to tile aj)poiiltllieiil of tile jn(liciarv are a colonial hand-over.
\Vritiiig in I)eceiilher 1994, coiistitiitioiial scholar James (;atiiii itoted, "In cob- iiial keiiva ... tl ie power OF [lie crown was the supren ic legislative, judicial, alld eXC(ilt ftC authority dli icr (lircctlV or thiroiigli tue g )verilor...wit ii the inirchi of constitutional a(lvalice, ju(licial power was secllre(l a separate existence from tile hitictioti of , tIle governor. Yet ... tiie courts ere still 1)lrt of ti'ie c()loilial oidei' and coiituiiied to siu))ort that or(ler vithioiit regard to liindaiiientai righiis ... courts were stafi'd i)v co)loilial a(hiiliiiistratoi's actilig as judicial officers. Provincial and 1)istrict Coiiiiiiissioiicus...i had suu)ervisorv and dismissal ioers over these •\fn- ('lii (011115. Ihie 11i(li('ial olitcers were SUl)Cct to (lisillissal Nvilliolit notice or a 1 iean
\ltlioitgii (oday tile l)o\\el's of the executive over the ]lu(liciarv arc not as l)rQad. there still rciiiaiiis eiiornioits space For tile eXecUli\'e to interfere with tliejttdici-
Aeiii;, liii, naii RiJii,s c)lhIIiil:,4011 • / 9.99 ------______-- 29 an. 1hese arc tile saute powers ti iat the President elljOVs II) aJ))OiiltiiIg the JU( iges of the High Cotiit (Puisiiejii(ges) an(l those oH ie court of appeal .Moreo- er, the sIiIR)r(hI late courts (magistrates courts) are S1If)Crvised by thu ('I liefjlis- li(-e and the Judicial Service ('ominissioll whose tnelni)ers ale also aI)i)olntees of the President.
And this is not by acci(leitt. it has l)eeil ;isSelte(l by not only coiisttttitional scitol- ars hut also eminent judges suc! i as ('ouirt of Ap1 )eal justice 11.0 . Kvacit that the fact that the Constitution of Kenya does not vest jll(lIciaI autllorttv to tile JlI(lici- arv as it (h)es the legislative authority to ParhiallIellI atl(I the executive autllorilv to tile President is (ieliI)erate. It is in order to cotistittitiotially create the space to (lesign another site of judicial authority shouldi the iieed arise.
\ lore C( )llcrelelv. in ;Rkhilion, one can trace tile fact oh judicial subordination to the execlit ive to the post-('oloi iial elh r1 by the executive to uiiideriniiie the iil(Ie- I)eikleilce (>1' tite jwhiciar\' at every twist mid tutri i.
This has a simple explanation: that the cOl)stituiti011al reforms project that ti ic executive engaged in alter the attainment of iil(le1)efldence as geared at the erection of , a lortttidahk' monolith vhiicli (0111(1 brook no ci ialletige. And the instances earlier on in Keiivas history when the jli(hiciarv coul(l confront the executive and assert its in(lepen(lence \vcl .c quickly sl)unle(l i)ecahise as a loriiter Chiiefjuisticc of , B )tswana audi judge o the I Jig!) Court of the \Vesteiii State of Nigeria Akiiioha Agiida noted, "...thc courts ... toe tite hne with tue political order at ti lose In()Ineiits viieii c )nf rontati( )n seetuis possible. fins eventually ntav be regrettable but courts hisgraced by the executive cailnol (lisI)eilse irieaitiiigf iii justice.
In the fev cases ti iat ii IC judiciary has (lard I to assert its iildej)eildience In uii the executive, rctnl)utioil has l)edhl last and flIrious. \lagistraies are transferred as 11appeile(1 to li)nner Principal Magistrate ( )nesiiius (ithiiiiji in 199 I alter lie ac(jliitte(1 five siisI)Ccts (file to their torture prior to confessing. Githiinji had! iiiade a stinging critique of police illetilo(ls of gathering evidence.
I uglier hf), one eaii recall the iioti-rene'v;t1 of tite contracts of justices Edward logl)or ahl(l justice Couh(htev ill 199 I al(er thie had ruhe(1 that a j)etiti()il against Presi(hent \Ioi had i)eell ahidlv filed. (_oiilcR1ehlcc: As already f)oiilted out earlier, there is too niuiclt eviden(-e to tile contrary to accept these as coihici- (let Ices.
- -- - - - ______ - A,ii;, /I,nn;ui Rights ( oinnIi:ccioI/ • /!)9!) \\'ilicll is win the constitiitioiial reioriiis are w'geilt. litese ieloi'ins 511001(1 llee(l 1\rticic 10 01 the Ulliled \ations Basic Pnncipies on the Illdci)en(ience of the Jll(liciarV vliich states Illat the in(leiwll( leiice oi the (tRliciarv shall be gliaraiitee(l by the state and enSlliiile(I in the ('oiistitutioii OF (lie laws of , the cokifltiV.
Mcainvinle, it remains to be seen whether ('iiiei'.Jiistice (lnmga will coiitiime i tile internal relorms iiiitiated by ins 1)1-e(lecessoi' the late Cliiefjustice (]iesoiii lollowing the 51.ii)illiSSiOil this year of a report Oil the state of the lli(liCial'V ('0111- piled l)v aju(licial eoillillittee hea(le(l l)V.J tistice R.O. Kwach. ShOlii(l the FCcOIU- nieil(latioiIs ol the kvacii report, VhicIl iildi('te(1 the judician , of' videspi-ead ('()1TUI)ti011 and iiieptitli(le, not be iml)ielnente(l KeilVails will coiltillile to eve the ju(liciarv wah SUsl)iciOii and hostihtv. And tins has 110 place in it democratic 5( )CiCIV. C. Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association
Like iiiaiiv other rights freedom ol assellii)iV and association is so interwoven with otliei' rights that its violation triggers tile violation of mans' others. When this right is (lelned, I )eopie are denied the cnviroiniient within which the free- (10111 to vote is exercise(I. Likewise, iii exercising their freedom of speeci i mdi- viduals (1<) not speak to tiiei'iiselves. li'ee(lolil ol 51)eechl is contingent upon the freedom to associate with others.
For this reason the coiitiinied violatioti of tins right by the Kciiva Goveriiment is )[critieai concern to tile keiiva Li iiilian Rights Coiiunission. \Viiile iii tl ie Aprii- Juiie (fliaFteF, the KI IR( recorded 13 iej)orted cases of' iiiterkreiice with the Iree(lonl ol assenibiv and association, in the .Juiy -Sepieinher (lii 11cr, 1 .' were reported. It is thieieiore evi(Ieiit that the sit nation is not inl)I -oving.
Oiijiilv 11 anti-riot police officers dispersed meetings in Meni, Einbu and ('inika to\VIls that were being a(l(lresse(l by Opposition I)oiiiiciails,janles ()rengo, Iaiiìa Njakwe, \jeiu Katiiaiigii and kiraitu Muniiigi who were oii it nieet-tiie-!)e()ple 10111' III the i11I1-1i to the Nitiii and Siakago I )v-eiections. Poiice hitirled tear gas canisters and si lot ill (lie air to disperse tue clo\V(ls.
( )nJuly it was reporte(l that the police iii Nakuirit had (lisperse(i a rally coli- vciied by tile uillregistere(i Saha SaI)a Asili political i )am aiuing that they had not i)eell ilOtifie(i ol ii ie raii'. The orgainser, jack \clegiva however nlsiste(l that they ila(l dii1 li( )tilic(1 the poiice of (lie rally. Sonic of tile activists were arrested and taken to ti ie ('eiitral Police Station but \veie iater set free. The police also (oil! iscate(l (>111cc (hairs ai RI tables Ironi the oFgaliiseFS ol tue tally.
J(1)l;, Ilwii;,ii J?i/iis o)iJiii,I:I(,I) • 1999 - - - - ---- 31 44
. .1
Mo
Resident of Garden Liate arrinni, i&iI/i Hlice o/feer oer the thsruft/wn of the residents ineehn
On July 2. police (hSperSed nlenil)ers of the public who were protesting the gral)l)ing of' it plll)lic plot by it KANt i activist at Gailivariga shopping Centre in Lai'i, Kiainbii District. The l)I'otesl meeting was also addressed by Opposition MemI)ers of Parliament and the Coordinator of the Greeii Belt Movement, \Vangari I\Iaatl iai.
After aoldress from the lea(lers, \Vangari \iaatliai asked the public to plant trees Oil ilic gral)l)ed 30-aci'e plot. It was then that the police moved in and blocked the youths from planting the trees. The police Said that the plot was private property and the members of ti ie public could tlierefre not l)laflt trees oti it without authority Ironi the owner. They resisteol and the police tired in the air and 101)l)ed teargas canisters at the crowd sparking oil a violent couih'oiitation.
The \Iuiigiki group contiiuied to bear the brunt of the government's curtail- meiit of the lreC(loifl of, aSseIill)ly. On September 13, 1999, the People D,i/r re!)orte(l that the police had on August 12, (lisl)ersecl .100 followers of' Nhingiki
Aenia .iliiiiiaii /?iq/]1.S (o/1iI1i/.sS1()Ii • 099 \Vli() had been i )eaceluilv I l()l(liIlg lwavcrs at iNgong to\Vii. I rOlii)le had starte(l at 2.00 pn wlieii a p )liee I aiid R( VeF (lre\\ UI ) at the market place and a senior officer (lirecle(l his olficers to (lisf)erSe the gathering. Six Muiigiki 'high priests' and lour youths wci•e arreste(l and charged wit) lioldiiig an illegal asseiiil)lv.
In the last three nioiiths the government Vet again l)aiTe(l a group oh Citizens from constituting themselves into a political l)aitV. lhiougli its coiitrol of' ti ie government, KA\I ', through President Mol l)k)cke( I the registration ola politi- cal party, I iiite(1 l)eiiiocratic Moveiuient (I I)M) vliichi is associated with K;Nl MPs, Cyrus J iroiigo and Kipruito arap Kirwa. According to its iiiteriin olhcials, the Registrar (;eiicid had written to the party (lenving thìem registration oil the grounds that "the interests oh f)(ce, wchlare 01 good ()r(ler would suffer prju- (lice if I 'I)M was registere(i. This followed a lllil)lic directive by PreSi(leilt Moi to the Attorney (;cueral hot to register ii ie party uiiiiljii'oiigo and Kirwa had quit KANU.
According to thìe Dii/i .\alion ol jiil' 1 6. I 1)\I ohicials had moved to the I ugh Court seeking an order to compel the Registrar General to register the part\.
The Government continues the violation of the ficedoin of asseniblv and asso- ciatloil iii Spite (>1 its j)iotectioil by Section 0 of the Kenya Constitution which states that " Lxcept with his o\vii consent, no i°' shall be llin(lerc(l iii the enj)vIneut of I us !rec(loiil of asselni)lv and association.' hiie Iiiteriiational Cov- enant oil Civil and Poliical Rights, and tile African Cliarier on I luman and People's Rights to vi iichi Kenya is a pam recognise tile riglii to of peaceful assembly and the right to lreedoni of association. II. Government interference with NGOS
1)uiriiig this quarter. a Minister of Slate iii the ( )!iice oldie President. Mr Mars(leii Ma(loka, thneatene(l NG( )s involved iii "subversive activities with (Ic-registra- tion, saving they had h)eeiu (leahiimg iii "politics of ilalie(l and (hivision . Amiothier (abimict Minister. \Irjuiliuis Suiikuihi, laced with charges oh (lehilimig two imiiilors, was (1110te(1 iii the D;uIt .\uien oh July 22 as declaring NGOS "daiigcroiis \Vee(1 si vhiichi iinist be \Vee(Ie(h 0111".
It lutist be appreciated that slich utterances (10 ehiect oii th(: (ii vir()iiilleIIt vitliin
H l)A - Keiìva has taken lii) the case oii h)ehiahl of tIme two girls
iii II Jliiiiiiii Rig/ii.' (u/u, uILc.sIoJI • 1999 - - - - -- - 33 vliich NG( )s vork. The restiltaiit silence lioiu the state, even when these or- gaiiiv.atioiis (leCFV tIle Ii' atinelil leVehlC(l agailist hId)) as it (liIC(t result of such utterances, can oillv he vic\ve(1 as litithier j)iool ()f the states' e illpliciiv ill the I creation (dall atiilosl)iiere hostile 1<) the organizations O1 )Ci'lti0 liS.
IV. Economic Social and Cultural Rights A. [and Grabbing
Kciiu l)ecaliie 1)1rtY to the IlutelilatIotlal (oVelialil ()11 1.coii(iuiic. Social and Cultural Rights (ICESR) oiijainiarv 1976 Vheil the c)VeIIailt caine into h)rce. I uioler this Covei iant Kenya is 01)1 igate(l to respect and work towards the reahi- satioui oh all the rights giiaraiiteed aiicl to reguiiailv 5111)1011 reports IC) the I liite(I Natioiis ('ouiuhhittee on F.coiioniic Social and Cuilttuial Rights (leflionstrating its (oIlil)liaiiCe with covenant.
For sOejo-ec )noilIic iigiits to lIe reahise(l the right lx)Iitieal eli\ir()IIIllellt is iiecc's- sarv. To its credit, since the re-iillFo(IIIctioi) Of multiparty politics, the Kenya goverumineiui has "'clicrally i)eeii tolerant to l)olitical activity oilier than h)v the uiiling l)UlY I\.;\'\ t , although there occasional (lisIuil)tioils oh activities organise(f by )l)IX )sitioii l)Oliticiai)5.
In principle also the goveiuiiiieuit has (olllinihled itself to coniprehieiisive co)ulsti- ttitional letorIlls and was pail ol an iicluisive piocess that cuilnunated ill the ('on- stituitional Review Act. I lowever. since the heginiiing oi1999, the (;o\erulullent has oleliheiatelv stalled the process and has si Ice lilade attempts to contiol the constitutional ielorin FOCC55 through the courts.
I Iouve'ei, since hecoiiiiiig party to the ICESR. tile Kemiva Goveriuinctit has lailc(1 to subunit a single report to the I \ (onlnhittee oh Lcouioiiiic, Social and Cu!- tural Rights. This, as the ('olnunitlee Iloted in its 1 ¶))- oh)seivations on Kenya colistitutes a violation ol tile ('ovenant.
The keuiva Constitution as it stands ciirueuitiv couitai IS 110 proVisions Ioi such socio-ecoiioimuic iights as tile welhiie, right to health or education.
Specifically. tIme (;ovc'iniileuut has coilti iuied to hiistrate tile eliors of uvorkers to
(ee. ('lIllllittec Oil IAOIlOIlii(. Sociil ;iiil ('luluillal Rigilts, (oulehtidiuug )l>seivauiou, on l'eIl\a, I .N 1). 1'('. I - - — I'•ni a IIu,iian /?I,ç/11.s ( Ofl1flU:k)// • /99(1 k j
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I'kten2bers of Sauti PvIoja 4o,ne,z Group marching to Burzi Burn police station to protest against the illegal allocation of their land joni WliOIlS 15 ellvisagc(i i)V iiicfe 8 of the (O\'eI)al it. this is S)C ci!i(.allv so iii the case ( )f the Civil Servants I Awmi vl iicli was l)aIIIlC(i h)V a f)i'esl(leilliaJ (IC(ieC in the 1980s.
The govelnhliclils 100(1 f)oliCV has ahiiiost (0ILL1)Se(l aIl(I a! f)iCSeIlt Luiiiiic is stalking IfldhiV areas of the (()Ihhi1IV. hlie chiel operations reihlaihi llOf)ClesSlV iii- a(lc(fIIate. I his is in violation of .riicle 11 of the I (_LSR vincii reCOgIIISCs the right to he tree 10)111 hunger
1.aiiol has rctnaiiieol a hiiajo)r (lisetiSSioli issue iii this (filarter iiiaiiilv t)ecallSc the ecoiioiiiv aiiol liVeIihiOo(1 of fl)ost Keiivaiis is J)re(licale(l (hiiCCEIV on lahl(1 aiiol natural resouices oil land. Agriculture, tourism. ininilig, j)asloralishii, IisliiIw, and forestry are major ec()hlohiii(- activities that stlf)f)olt the livelihoods of the Vast majority of )COf )1C in Keiiva.
these activities (lej)eI 1(1 entirely on secure access t() laII(1. I h)wever, illegal and
Keji;;, Iliiiiiaii Rig/ifs (nJuniiuii • /9!'Y') - ______- - - - irregular laIl(1 allocations have l)eeii at [lie centre or ldIl(l rights violatioiis. Iltis 1)11('i10111e11011 is 1101 oiilv a threat to [lie (Ireaills of iii(ItisIrIalizalioIl clliTeiltiv 1)i'C\'alelIt in tile nhiil(IS of 1)011ev iiiakers, but it is iIl(lee(l a \VO1T\ 10 I)aStOIalistS, fisllerile1l of iitiiiter-gatlierers. Ifiese are groups \vlio) have throughout their history accessed these l'esOUrceS III (OlIlil1011 vithiiii their ('O)iilllittilitieS, in the context of Well (kfiiled rights and oi)hgalions ciii orce(l through and by tra(h- tioiial institutions ol social. political and resottice goverilailce that are as 01(1 as the (OIiiiiiuilitieS themselves.
The iIistitiitioils that govern the accss and ('0111101 of land resources are now in peril. This is so 1)ecauise the political adiiiiitistration has uiioleriiiinecl tile author- itv of these iilstitiitioiis and their capacity to allocate and control access to land. Like Nvise, the effects orpolitical and ecoilonlic hil)eralisatio)I1, have a(lded to the insecurity (>1 (eiiure \Vitliiil land (lepeildeilt ('OIlIiiflhiiities..lie opening iii) of the land allocation to iiiarkct forces have iiitro)dllced iiew thiieats to tile access rights or laiR!.
Irregular and illegal hanoi allocation cOuipic(i with eVictioi is and notices of evic- tb )il coiltii ilk' to be a big l)i'Ol)leiiI in this oluiartel, vet the goveri uncut ii itougli its economic iecoverv team is still uiilai)le to a(l(liesses or ie(lress these hanoi issues vitii a view to finding a lasting solution. A good starliilg l)oiiit Volil(l be the (Ie- partnieiit of land. IN Laud Couiiuiiissioiier, \Vilsoii Gachiaiija, has been iii that positiomi for the fast 15 years and during his tenure claiiiis and coutiiter-claiuiis of illegal and criuiiiuial land dealings have (oultiiiiie(l to i)e reported.
\Ioilitoie(l cases of irregular and illegal land allocations reveal that land leiliajul such a seiisitive political issue that tue goveuiiurueilt is uuiiderstaiidal)lv reluctant to Oj)Cil Uj) the caui of \V011115 that votilol result fioni taking tile laii(l co)rrulj)tion issue head on. Simply, the iliajor playeu's in the goveriiineiit are so intricately coiiil)roilliseol Oil land oluiestion that it is hot in their ititciest to adolress a glaring land problem like that or ( )giek ( oiiiiiiuiiiitv jukigiuig by tile iiuiiii)er or iiisiaiices in \vhiicli the iiienibeis of tIl(- puil'li care st;uiuhiiig Oil) for their hanoi rights by literally taking tue law into their hands by physically thiroviiig out the so-called private 1eve1ojeis fioiii hat they per- ceive to> be plil)hic land. tiiiie is clearly ruiuiniiug out for the go)verniuieiit to take a(tioui. Iuiteiestiiiglv quiestioils of constitutional anol oilier aspects of public law a rise vhieie these j)rivate developers ieckoii that the laud has l)eeui allocated [0) thieiii in exercise of po\ris coiifcrreol (iihicr on tile f)resiolent or the couiin)is-
- - - - 36 Ac/n a fluiii;i,i /?/j,'/lls ( oiiiiiii.cioji • 1991) sloller ol lail(ls l)V the (,( )\CIflillCflt 1aii It is iiilj)oi'tailt lo note thi;ii O\Viilg to IllLSSi\C irregular and illegal laiI(l allocations, this quarter has witnessed (lie gazettetiieiit of Ianol A(ljU(hiCatiOil AIlleil(hllIeilt Bill 1999. Ilic al)tIseol land a(ljli(licatioii process has hIC(lUeilll\' iiieaiit ohisplace- ineilt ol origiiial OViIeFS by illOre l)Oliti(allV alI(l ecoili)nucallv pO\ver!Iil iil(liviciu- iIs ai 1(1 groups. In iiiost C()iiliiilliiities affected by iiregular and illegal laIl(l allocations and evic- tions, \VOiiieiI. \( jung people and CIiil(liCIi have suhiered the most. This is l)C- cause lan(l has been lost by title liol(lerS tiaiislci'iing laii(l i.iiIliiii(leie(I by the tiaolitioiial ail(i !aiiiilv controls. II us is because statutory tithuig and re(listration law hails to take iiccoiiiit ol the c()iiil )Iicate(l \VCI) oh overlapping 1)1inlai'v and secomiolarv laii(l iights bdse(1 Oil CoiiilliiiiiitV ctistojiis and culture. B. Corruption (orrtii)tn ui rciiiaiiis a major C( )iltiibutor to the general erosion of socio-eco- i iomic rights in Keiiva. Iii its 1999 report hansi )aremlcv Iiiteiiiatioiial ranks Kena as tile 1 O 1110)51 ('0)11111)1 country iii the W( )i'i(l t1'Oili the 1 l)OSitioil it hlCi(l last ear. In the last ihrec iii( )tils, the KIIRC iC(Oi(lC(I eight ('l5C5 of co)1'itil)tio)Ii iii\Ol\iiig iii'eguilar teii(lei'iilg, olii'ct eilil)ezzlcilleilt and l)mil)erv. Iii additiomi, the Puil >hic AC(OuiiltS ('oiriiuiitlee in its report tI us year, oletaihe(I the loss olahouit Ksh.58() billion over a I)erio(i of three years largely through ii -regi_ilar teii(leriIig, iilflati( n oF l)iiViiiei1t and general illisi)iai)ageiUeIll l)V government (IC- partilicilts aiiol state coij)oratioiis. This (Orrulj)tioil has ('Otiti'il)iite(i to soiI'iIig lev- els 0)1 poverty at id SUl)\ei'te(l wh iatever eth irts there are at ;irrestiiig the situation. Oii July 9, i/ic Lace -11i .uan Si;Ili(/ar(/ reporte(l that the Netherlands was sR)p- ping all ;ii(l to Kemiva owing to "coifliptioii scaticlals, land grabbing, tii1l)ii(lgete(l sj)eiioliiig of puil)lic' resources, slow pii\atisatin and iioli-inil)ieilieiitatioii for the 1997 Inter Parties Paihiaiiieiitaiv (;ioump (IPPG) agreeIlielit. ' Oii ,Juilv, ti. 'I/ic I)aiIm' .\iIioij reported that the govenhiiieilt stoo(1 to lose 83.1 iiiihhion Rllowimig all iiieguihui' variatioii ola teil(ler to co)mnpuiterise the 'I'rcasurv. In si)ite of chits by the bwiiicr l'iiiaiice Minister Suuiieoim Nvachiae and Fiiiatice Secretary Jo)sel)iI Kiiiviia to cancel the contract, the ;\ttortlev (;eiieral had ad- vise(l against it. 'l'hie original contract was of Kshi. 168 mnillioti butt lolhwiiug t\v() Aeiim;', Iluinaii /?a,/iI.c ( oii1I)ji.csion • 1999 -- - irregular extensions of KsIi. 83 I inhllR)n, the C( mtract ende(1 iii) costing Ksli. 1 I )illion, an it icrease of , lOO9. On jub, 19. 1999, The People 1)ai4u reported that it Special lask lorce coin- IUiSSiOile(l 1)v tile goVeriiiiieilt ii'Veale(l that the govettiiiieiit has lost l)ilIi011S of shillings through irregular pavilielits to construction companies .Manv of tile companies were awarded ten(leIs \vitllotit authority from the Central 1'cnder loir(i. Some of the conipailies involved were Krisl tan Bel lal & Soits, Kiiiidan Sitigi . IiI .Z. II. P. (;attfi. Put Sauijevo and Vislia Bitildeis. On August 11. 1999, I/ic P'oplc Dwlv rclx)rte(l that a report 1)y it team ap- pOiilte(l by (he goverilinctit to 1)10f)t tile accottlits of the Kenya (0-operative Creameries (KCC) revealed that the KCC had lost millions oF shillings through irregular j)lirchlases 110111 coinpallies corinecte(l to directors. ( )i'i .\ugist It The Last ;lliyan Slan'/;li?/ ieported that a telephone scandal had heeti exposed with the ('oiluiilinicatioii Coiiiiiiissioii or Kenya irregularly attempting to acconlnLo(late a coiiipaiiv that (11(1 not cjuahifv to provi(le 1110i)ilc J)lioile services .Accordiiig to reports, tile govcriIiIleIit Board ilieInl)ers or the Coiinniiiiication C)IililIissioii who included two l'ernlailelil Secretaries had lkrced (lie (oiilnlissioIl to a(1(l (lie itaine of an tiii(lUahifie(l coiiipanv to the list of the qualified. The government I tas however nla(le some cfiits to acl(li'ess (' lTulpti( )il. Omi August 5, 1999. i/ic I)aii'm .\aIioii iej)or(Cd that tile coillillitlee imfl)lellieiltii1g the recoiiiriiendatioiis of time jui(liciarvs Coinniittee on A(hliliilistrati011 of justice ha(1 set to work leading to tile sacking of live magistrates, while eleven others have their cases )e1lding. The Coiiiniittce's Chair. •J ustice Evans (;ichcrui sai(l that 22 10141 suif)f)oli staff had been (hisinissed. Ihie formation of an economic recovery team led i)v (lie I lead of , tile Public Service 1)r Richard I .eake, is one or the governnlemils ef lorts at jullip starting the economy and tackling corruj)tiorm. Ile other initial e, (lie Kenya Anti-('or- rlml)tioil Atithiorily (KACA) has remllailie(l fargelv (lormnailt since its liriiiation. 3$ - -______-- -- ______-- - Ac,ima II,,,ijai, I?i:hit c iiiiiiicsioIi • C. Harassment of the poor lor a long j)el'iO(l the Kciiva g veriiiiieiit has IIn(lertakeli activities that .inioIliit to of the l)ol. I 1aitssiiieiit of (lie poor has ranged from illegal swoops, arrests and (lCStliicEi011 of i)i01)ertY. Oii Jiih , The List ;lIii(uiIi •Stuidiii/ rCjM)ite(I that l)i'1)eltY \VOrth tiIousan(ls of shillings had been destrove(l hollowing the (leniolitioll oh kiosks at the Rovsaiiibii rolllnIai)olit I)V youths hued 1)va 11IUI ahlegiiigto have bought the laIl(1. I)wing the (IClilOhtiOli, One ol tile traders was arrested and a school deniohshed. Jiic 1)ailiVaiioji oil july 17, reported that a Lucy \\anglii Muchiri, a iiavker, hia(I lost I icr son following a 5\VOOj) by \airol)i City Council askaris, targetin(r hawkers. Accor(lnig 10) (lW mother, she hia(1 l)Icaoled witli the askaris to allow her 10) go to the cells with her l)al)v but tiie\ had refused. Ihie 1 8-month old boy was fOtili(1 tell days later j)iaving alone at the Kciivatta \atioiiai I lospital Bits Stop. . 1 I II - City Council officials destroying kiosks belonging to the poor • / Aiia II,i,ii;iii /?igJii. (nh1iiiissioII 99(1 ...... -- 39 ( )u juiv 29. 111tIldre(15 ()f stalls verc (leStFOVe(l at lot maiket in Kihera. Nair(l)i by the City Couticil alitliotities to ) iitake tooni 1r a road. Prol)ertv of unknown value was (Iestr( )VC( 1. ( )it ;\UgtISt 17, ilic L;,.ci ;1/ru.uì .SeaIu/a/(/ Iel)0ite(l that the 11IOiCt \ituuticiI)al C' )IiiICil askaris had u ntuided ui )pen-air 100(1 ven(lors in the town and onhs- Vdil dOis (ate(i th(.ir i)iPerty. II IC 5\VO( )j) !011o\Ve( I c)mf)laiItts by Would) that the Council askaris were (leullaut(IiiigSexiial favours froni theiii and all a(l(liiR)i IaI Ksli. 20() and I'slu. 30() to be allowed to operate. ( )ut Septeutiher 17, the Nairobi City CoIn ucil askaris law iched "()peration hull- (1 0/eu and flattened more iliati 1,000 kiosk iii Eastleigli. Shaiiii NIovo. Biatla and New Ptiiiiwaiti estates. The seveul 1 ioii1 ol)elati( )ii waS laui wl ted to make way br the repair of toads in the estates. Iradets c( )nhf )laiile( I that the uuioiitli notice the\ had 1)eeul given was too short. 0. Workers Rights Kenya is a pty to hoili the II 0 (oiuveiitioui and the IitLeiilaiional ('oveitaull out Economic Social and Cultural Rights which guarantee tile "right of evervouie to the elijoVIlleilt ( )f just an(i fav( )tIrah)le (oii(litl()ils of work. Inder these laws tile slate is also ()bIlgatc(l to eiisiire \v()u'kers receive a lair and just couull)ei)Sation as well as Ci ijov sale VOikiiIg coul(litiouls. Iii the last (juauIcr. ii ie Ri I R( re(or(le(l 22 cases of violatR)i1 ol voikers light s . In the .iO% of the cases, workers were slil)jecte(l to iiIhuIin)aiilv long periods of work without pay. Other violations of workers rights recorded iii the last quarter were (letHal ofthie right to strike, suniinaiv (hismissals and subjection to iiiihtealtliv vorki rig cot idit i(ns. On I 1Il\ , al)otit 1,000 Ci)ll)l( )\ees of the Keilva Railways in Kisiiniu went on strike (lerulaiHiing salary arreas going back three months. On August 10. i/ic DaiIi \alien iepoiie(l that llIIil(lreds of Glisli ('tii1t\ ( 01111(11 efl)f)loees FliRt gone oit strike (leniandlulg salary areas of about Kslt. 61 riiillion stretchiiiig back to tWo \eills. :\lthiotighi tile Council claimed it had no money, the (outwits Adniiutisirative ( )Ffieer \loliat Ouitwaiigo said that it had iii the smite f)eriod si )euit ksli. 16 iiiihlioii iii iiuiplaiiiied tours by jililior ofhceis. \\orkers also corn- plaiule(l that the ('oiuuicil had Failed to reiuiit such statutory deductiouis as the National Social Secuiit\ hind (NSSI") atI(l Natiouial I lospital Insurance hind (Nh hF). - tO - - - in , IJiiniui J?IA'iIl.c (iiiiiii:csin • /999 Kenya Refuse handlers Workers protest the non-payment of their salaries On July 15, the Jist AThcaii Siam/au! reported that the Kenya 'l'imes newspa- ier wlilcli is oWflC(1 by the ruling party. K.anu, ha(l (hisIuiSSC(l six of its joui'iialists fr particij)atiIlg iii a strike. ( )ii july 1, rCl)OFteFS, C(lilOrS aii(1 a(inmlistrative stall of the newspaper (kman(Iing three months iii salary arrears. l'hie Kenya U iuon of Journalists (KUj) Chapel leack'r Kiprotich \Iutai sai(l that workers had on several occasions iaisc(l their grievailces vitii the management hut no action ha(1 I)een taken. Ilie workers coIiij)Iaiiie(l (fiat their statiiton' (Ie(lIIctiOnS to (he NSSF, Ni lIE and Pay As You Earn (PAVE) were hot being remittc(I while they were Ioi'ce(l to work extra hours without compensation. According to Mutai, rorkcrs were using their owii money wlicii working extra-hours. On July 27, employees >i the Kemiva Ports AlIthi(>I'itV f)i'oteste(l the presence of two comitaineis of toxic cargo at (lie I)oi't. Ihiev sai(1 that the cargo was causing eve and skin imTitatiomI . Accorhng to thicii' spokesperson, workers had Starte(i sLifiCr- jug skin rashes and severe hIea(lachies. ii Iliiuiiaui R114/iis (OHJIIJIS.SIOu1 /99!) - - -- Ii tam MGE A round-up of individual and group initiatives in demanding, defending and promoting their rights YOU TOO CAN bO IT - MASS ACTION IS THE ONLY WAY - by Fr Gabriel bokin \Vliilc the hieadliiies are (lOnhtflatC(1 with StOt'ieS of the \loi Succession, Goldenlierg and presi(lClltial ap)ointmdntS, hew allll(le to the fact that ti icre is a propaganda war going on in the media every day. Ihis ceiilrcs on the iSSUe Of mass actiOn and constitutional rcli)iiu. Mass action is consistently (lescril)e(l as being ininecessary, wllashR)nal)le, irresponsible, un- (lelliocrat iC and even iii ichristiai i. Put another way, We are (01(1 tI tat mass action is SVIIOIIVII1OUS with violence, (he- structioli, and revolution, and no decent Kenvan sIIolil(1 take to the streets to (lelnollstrate over any issue. Yes, the propaganda iiiachiiiics tell us that the (lays 0! cotifrontational l)oliticS are long over and the way 101- Var(1 is through dia- logite. huts mass action is 1)0111 (lisciC(Iite(1 and (liSllliSSC(1. Most people have fillcn victim to this )roI)agai1(1a vithioiit thiuikiiig seriously about the best Way forward or recalhiuig what peaceful mass action has achieved iii kenras recent past as well as III cotititties like hti(lia, I SA, Ireland and South Africa. Il1(leed, I regret to say that tI ie iluost easily (leCCive(l and most politically naive in this respect have been church leaders and in particular those oh the Catholic 1iithi. I have the greatest respect for the courage and coilimitment tI icy have shown in the struggle for fi'eedoin. \et in a recent about tutu, by opting for dialogue, secret meetings and State house l)arlouirs, thev I tave left the coit union peol)le cotlhiIsc(l, and I tave h)ccoine more i(lentifie(l with the masters than with the niasses. Ili(lec(l the I)11'5C11C(' of the 101) brass and hawittakers at recent Catholic (Jitmicli nwetings, liaranubees and finctions are clear evidence of , the cosiness of , that relatioi)Shil). I et us just recall what huap)eile(l (lln -ilug the teach ters strike last ( )ctohcr. 13v iuuediatitig iii a legitimutate strike, the church leaders l)etia e(l teach- ers aI)(l let the g )VeIililleiit ofi the hook. Iaiiv claim that Ihcv averted a very dangerous situation just before iiatioiial cxatuuiivatioius, but one cannot he!1) Ito- - - -- - - - Kciiia Iliiimui Rig/it.s C'o,nijmsioii • 1999 tice how (leIll()ralise(1 the teaching l)rolessioli has now becoiiie as teachers are forced to seek alternative iiieaiis of hoostiiig their meagre salaries. All of this is contril)uting to\Var(lS the col- lapse of the e(lllcatioflai svsteiii, vliicli is only coiiceriicd with the illi(I(lIe classes as ii IC I)Or (1101) ( )uI in ever increasing liliiiil)Ci'5. One caii svllii)athiise with the ('11111(1 I lea(IerS \Vhi() fear ('lvii iiiirest and agitation. they (Irea(l lea(Iuig (kil'loilstI'atioils and peaceful protests, vhic1i niighit l)rnig chaos, (Iestrllctioli and loss of life in their wake. t'hiis is dearly what hap- peile(1 on Budget l)av at I lolv Faiiiilv Basilica. No- uie wants to ) be I'CS1)( )iiSii)le for the (leatil ( If aiiol her. Il1(iee(l, it is coilceival)ie that SOflie iiuglit (lie (luring these (Ielnonst rat ions. So the church lea(lcrs have opted for peace at aiiv price. But the inuiIl)el' whl( iiiav die is tiii\' colllpare(l to (lie I iuige iiuinher of 1eiivaiis wI 10 are (lying e\erV hour of poerty, disease and oppreSsioll that eiiiaiiates hi'oiui ha(l governance and a had constitution. 'l'hese anoiiviiious keilvans are iilai -tvrs sacrificed at the altar of greed, corruption and oppression. With i 1 7 iiiihlioii poor people living on less thiaii Ksh 60 per (lay; iIi;uiy tortured to (lealhl in f)0l1C(' celk,(' hid S camps aiii prisons; ai 1(1 ('Oulililess others dying of neglect in goverilnient hios )italS, PecC at aii' price is iI( )t g( )0( I e 1101 igli! i ati not (Iisillissillg the secret meetings or the Pall i of dialogue. 111ev are esseil- tial. Ill(lee(l, the Cathiohicj ustice and Peace ('olillilissioli is going even further by undertaking a thiorougi ilv 1)rOleSsioilai civic education i)i)graiiiu1le that has reache(1 all 1)a1ts of the Rcf)ulhlic. As a result, we have citizens win) are \cUV well inf'oriiied on the Constitution all(l their rights, and who know that kaliha nihava, maislia inh)ava. \es, (lialilgule and civic education are abs luteiv essential if we are to have a people dnveii ref oriii I)F( cess. But ti ese are i1 )t enough! We iieed peaceful, creative civil (hisol)e(lieIice if we are to get the ieloilll l)i'O('e55 out of [lie J)( )ti iok' in which it is stuck . Agoveriimiient ii lat has destr( )ve(1 hothi tue iiiorals and tI ie inoi'ale of' its people will not negotiate away its privileged ollli)if)Oleilt position. It is not 1)ossil)le to 1)t'l'suia(k' the lea(lerShlij) 1( > give Uf) ruling by the law of force and replace it with the hrce of' In otliei' Wol'(ls, tile ruling Pal'tY Will coittimilie to (leceive, outwit and uitiiiiatelv (lunl() the ('liltrell as it (hi(l alter State 1 louse visits in 1997, unless th(- chitirchi hierarcliv takes 1<) Ilk' streets iii a IleacCiul, organised manmier. This means that c1iuii'c1i leaders should trust the illstiilcts of then' oit laithif iii. It also means that they iiiust leai'ii to respect tf ic )m'ofcsSionalisili and SiIICCritV of the NCEC and couI)erale vithi that h)O(l\. Kciiia J/'uiii;,ii /?i/i,. C()I1iIiJIssioI/ • 1\Ianv are CO1IVillCC(l that the reported Ks114.5 billion li)F a thorough Constitti- tional review is a small price to iav to Fe! oi'iil a COilstiIiitiOil that has impover- iShe(l the majority oh Kenans. It is vital that the churches unite with our Muslimii I)FCthlFCn and show that peaceful mass action is not only Possible but cati Suc- CeC(I iii forcing j)olitical parties to yield to the wishes of the people. Six niomithis have j)aSse(l SIOCC the Review Act was passed. The jWOCCSS IS SCllC(l- ule(l to take 27 months. Shall we go to the 2002 elections with the present flawed coiistitiitioii or will the church leaders take resj)onsibilitv br their sub icring f1ocks: The time is now and tile j)eOpie are ready. ti - ______------__ - Aein i human R/Lç/lls ('oiiu,mn:ssioii • 199.9 Kenya Human Rights Commission - KHRC P0 Box 41079, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: (254-2) 57499819,576065/6 Fax: (254-2) 574997 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.hri.calpartners/khrc ISBN 9966-941-02-9