NAIROBI, Kenya, Apr 20- Amnesty international Kenya has condemned continued blockade of roads by police officers enforcing curfew in Nairobi.
In statement the international lobby group said restrictions including the blocking of major roads in Nairobi County after the 8.00 pm has left many motorists and passengers stranded terming the measure punitive.
“The road blockage resulted in undue punishment of people including the denial of emergency medical care to seek medical treatment,” the human rights organization said in a statement.
Health professionals globally have attested that COVID19 prevention is reliant on adequate communication that affirms the citizens’ role and works with health professionals in seeking compliance – as opposed to punishment and attacks on the people to force compliance, they said.
The agency said the punitive enforcement of the curfew is in stark contrast to the enforcementof the law against those accused to have stolen monies earmarked for COVID 19 relief.
This includes the KEMSA scandal that has occasioned the ARV drugs impasse with USAID.
They condemned what they termed ‘irregular and disproportionate treatment’ of Kenyans under the guise of COVID 19 enforcement that has occasioned the violation of fundamental rights and freedoms.
“By law, all government action must be based on written law; be necessary and proportionate and must pursue a legitimate aim. The blockade was unnecessary and disproportionate and thus illegal, ” Demas Kiprono, Amnesty Kenya Campaign Manager for Freedoms and Citizenship said.
They called on the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of the National Government to review proposed enforcement methods of COVID protocols to only respond to preservation of life.
They further called on Treasury to release monies to all county governments to enable them provide services appropriately including guaranteeing the right to health where COVID 19 pandemic interventions is key.
“We also call on upon the Senate and the National Assembly (Parliament) to rise to its role of oversight and representation of the people to ensure constitutional and human rights centered responses in managing and containing COVID19,” they said calling on Kenyans to adhere to public health protocols shared by the Ministry of Health in response to COVID 19.
“In the same breath, we urge the Government of Kenya to adhere to the constitution and human rights norms in all its interventions.”
 | ReplyForward |
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
