Protests in Kenya: Government criminates dissenting voices

Protests in Kenya: Government criminates dissenting voices

Nairobi, Kenya - The prominent human rights activist boniface mwangi was released for the deposit after the illegal possession of ammunition was charged. Critics accuse the authorities of strengthening the efforts to suppress difference in the East African country.

arrest and allegations

The Directorate for Criminal Investigation (DCI) Kenya announced on Sunday on social media that Mwangi was arrested over the weekend "in connection with the support of terrorist activities" during the protests on June 25, which immediately caused outrage among activists.

When the 42-year-old awarded a award-winning photographer on Monday, the terrorist allegations were downgraded to two charges for "possession of ammunition without valid weapon possession map", since tear gas grenades and bathrooms were allegedly found in his office.

his arrest fell during a time when activists report that more than 100 demonstrators were charged with terror -related offenses, arson and money laundering last month after protests had broken out due to widespread dissatisfaction with the government of President William Ruto, especially among young people.

The struggle for human rights

"I am known as a defender of human rights, not as a terrorist," said Mwangi on Monday evening after his release. "I am determined and I am not afraid. The only thing that could stop me is a ball in my head, but as long as I live, I will continue to fight for a change of regime. The government we have does not work for the people."

Mwangi, who sharply criticized the successive Kenyan governments and described himself as the “guardian of the people”, reported that he was arrested by civil police officers at home on Saturday and brought to his office in the capital Nairobi. He claimed that the police had searched his office, confiscated devices and found two unused tear gas grenades and a space cartridge.

in social media showed a recording on which Mwangi "Ruto has to go!" Calls while he is taken away by his office. A judge rejected the allegations and Mwangi was released at a personal deposit. A court date was set on August 21st.

armed attacks and protests

The protests in Kenya broke out of police violence in June after several alleged cases, including the death of a teacher in police custody. During the protests, there were reports on social media that government politicians had hired people to attack peaceful demonstrators and damage property to discredit the protests.

The Kenya Bar Association, which advises and supports the legal professions, the government and the public, explained in a sharp statement that the protests "had been infiltrated by armed, hired rackets". "We condemn this malicious, deliberate resolution of radicalized militias that are sponsored by the political class," it said.

Especially during the last protests, CNN saw groups of men with sticks, side by side marched and beating civilians in Nairobi while uniformed officials watched. In other parts of the country, business was set on fire and a police station was attacked.

political trends and repression

The Kenyan President Ruto accused some politicians to do the youth to unrest, and warned of consequences: "The police are trained to deal with criminals.

The right to protest is protected under the Kenyan constitution, but the authorities have described the recent demonstrations as chaotic looting. Kenyan prosecutors accused several young people for arson and terrorism, while judges stated high deposit conditions, although many claimed their innocence.

Human rights groups have condemned the use of allegations of terrorism. "We are deeply concerned about the continuing abuse of the anti -terrorist law to control public order," says a statement by the Police Reforms Working Group, an association of civil society organizations that monitor the police. "This practice undermines the Kenya criminal law system and endangers important international partnerships that aim to protect national security."

The Kenyan section of the International Lawyers' Commission expressed its concern about the growing pattern of arbitrary arrests and invented charges on Sunday that will target innocent young people. "What began as a targeted persecution of young demonstrators who demanded responsibility has expanded into a comprehensive attack on the democracy of Kenya," said the human rights group.

heavy police violence and their consequences

The government denies any misconduct. The office of the director of public indictment defended the use of allegations of terrorism and explained that the protests were "targeted and coordinated acts of violence". The office remains "obliged to implement its constitutional mandate in accordance with the regulations, in the public interest and to maintain justice," added on Monday.

activists such as Mwangi and legal experts believe that the Kenyan government criminalizes difference by using charges such as terrorism, arson and money laundering to stir up fear among the demonstrators. In the past twelve months, CNN has filmed several times on how security forces violently dissolved protests and shot on unarmed demonstrators.

his Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen went one step further and issued an instruction to the officials to shoot on demonstrators who approached the police stations. Although the former Jura professor tried to weaken the comments after a public outcry, he did not raise the instruction.

On Monday, Murkoma questioned the critical voices for the allegations of terrorism and asked: "If they attack a police station, burn down and steal weapons ... If they light dishes and destroy the business of people, what is the crime if it is not terrorism?"

mwangi told CNN that Ruto and his government try to use the DCI to criminalize difference, which is allowed according to the constitution - "but they will fail". He added: "They want to keep the youth from protesting because it will be difficult to get work or even a visa. And if the young people are not afraid, they want to unsettle parents."