US Condemns Kenyan Police for Disrupting Anti-Femicide Demonstrations

The United States has condemned the Kenyan National Police Service (NPS) following yesterday’s incident where anti-femicide demonstrators were allegedly attacked by police officers.

The US government through its Embassy in Kenya on Wednesday, December 11, accused police officers of contravening the Kenyan Constitution on the right to peaceful demonstrations.

While taking a swipe at the Kenyan security officers, US Ambassador to Kenya Marc Dillard termed yesterday’s occurrences as regrettable and concerning.

Dillard further expressed the US government’s commitment to supporting stakeholders’ efforts to end the surging cases of femicide in Kenya and uphold human rights.

“Regrettable and concerning to see police action against Kenyans exercising their constitutional rights to assemble and protest peacefully,”  read part of the statement.

“On International Human Rights Day and every day, the United States supports efforts to end femicide and protect the human rights of all people,” Dillard added.

Ambassador Dillard reacted after the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) jointly with other lobby groups including Amnesty Kenya raised concerns after the brutal treatment of anti-femicide demonstrators by alleged police officers in Nairobi.

The lobby groups in a statement on Tuesday, December 10, faulted the police officers for their violent response against the peaceful protesters who were mostly women.

In the joint presser, the humanitarian groups he violent criticised the police for arresting peaceful protestors, which they said was a direct attack on Kenya’s democratic principles and the human rights of its citizens.

“The excessive force and unwarranted arrests not only violate national and international human rights laws but also send a chilling message to all those advocating for justice and accountability,” read part of a statement by the lobby groups.

“These actions undermine the rule of law and reinforce the impunity that perpetuates violence against women. We strongly condemn the use of teargas against unarmed citizens and the arrest of peaceful demonstrators.”

Every year, from November 25 to December 10, the world observes the 16 days of activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a campaign that aims to raise awareness and mobilize action to end all forms of violence against women and girls.