AFRICAN JUDGES SUGGEST RIGTH TO PEACEFUL IN KENYA

 By Raymond Jumah, Kenya

Africa Judges and Jurists Forum (AJJF) is concerned about the reports which suggest the suppression of the right to peaceful protest in Kenya, through what appears to be disproportionate police action which includes the firing of tear gas, arbitrary and mass arrests, beatings and torture of those who participate in or are found to be near to the peaceful protest actions. 

On 8 July 2023, the former Chief Justice of the Republic of Kenya and current President of Africa Judges and Jurists Forum, Dr Willy Mutunga, was amongst those who were tear-gassed by the police. Dr Willy Mutunga had visited a police station to provide food supplies to individuals arrested and detained by the police after engaging in peaceful protests against the rising cost of living. 

Before he visited the police station, former Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga had called upon the government of Kenya and the police to respect the constitutional right to peaceful protest and to refrain from using force against peaceful protesters. 

The retired Chief Justice, was in the company of other human rights lawyers and activists when he attempted to deliver food supplies to the detained individuals at the police station.