NAIROBI,Kenya, Oct, 30 – Fear continues to grip a section of Kenyans with religious leaders and human rights organisations now raising concerns over the increased cases of extra judicial killings as well as enforced disappearances with several cases being reported nationwide almost on a daily basis.
In a recent case, renown islamic scholar, academician and lawyer Prof. Hassan Nandwa was abducted under unclear circumstances two days ago – Within the same period, heavily armed police officers are said to have raided his home, in turn harassing his family while claiming to be searching for the lawyer’s clients.
“It is a worrying phenomenon that the State which is supposed to be a guardian and protector for the rights of its citizens is now at the forefront of victimization of its citizens. His only crime was discharging his professional duties as a lawyer and representing a client who had finished serving his time in jail,” read a statement by a group of religious leaders and human rights organisations.
Cases Of Enforced Disappearances
A fortnight ago, 22 year old Muhammad Abubakar was kidnapped in Mombasa by alleged heavily armed police officers while on a double cabin pick up truck as he was leaving a local mosque.
His whereabouts ever since is yet to be established.
Just two days ago, veteran politician Fred Gumo’s sister-in-law and driver were kidnapped while heading to their Muthaiga home. Police reports indicate they were also abducted and bundled into a white double cabin vehicle.
In a similar incident four months ago, Yassin Mahmoud, a Lamu based county employee was abducted by police. A court order has since been issued demanding he be presented in court…police have however refused to comply with the orders.
In June Hassan Dahir Osman was also abducted by armed assailants while leaving a mosque in Eastleigh.
His whereabouts also remain unknown.
“These are some of the worrying statistics about the enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings which have been ongoing and despite the numerous calls to the government to investigate and put an end to these draconian violations of the rights of citizens, the State has on the major part opted to remain silent and no action taken by the government,”
Recent Statistics reveal that most of the people abducted are from predominantly muslim communities at the Kenyan Coast, Northern Kenya and even Nairobi.
“This campaign has largely targeted Muslims and the so-called war on terror has unfortunately morphed into a war on Islam and Muslims,” said religious leaders and human rights organisations officials who further revealed that, “We are now witnessing a deliberate strategy of instilling fear among Muslims and discouraging them to go to Mosques that are supposed to be sanctified places. Muhammad Abubakar and Prof Hassan Nandwa were abducted soon after coming from mosques to fulfil their religious obligations,”
The leaders have now put interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i and DCI Boss George Kinoti on the spot over previous assurances to address the matter, however, “no action has been taken since then,” they said.
“Just like other Kenyans, Muslims have also been victims of terrorism. Mheshimiwa Yusuf Hassan who is with us is among the victims of this carnage and the Muslim leadership have consistently spoken out and participated in programmes to fight against this vice,”
The leaders have now pledged to petition the US government to invoke the Murphy law which prohibits funding to agencies that are complicit in human rights violations.
This includes the Anti-terror police unit which benefits from several US based programmes and funding.
Abductions, Killings Ahead of 2022 Elections
Recently,the police reforms working group – Kenya, which comprises of Human Rights Organisations, Legal Entities, social Justice Centers, Women Organisations, Security Sector Reforms Associations among others has expressed concern over the country’s state of security ahead of the 2022 elections.
In a statement, the group says that, “the bleak and dire security situation in the country requires urgent action to inspire public confidence in security and elections management,”
They said that a worrying trend of cases of extra judicial killings have been increasing day in day out as well as enforced disappearances with several cases being reported nationwide.
“The elections management and outcomes in Kenya continue to pose security and safety challenges which the country needs to address in order to achieve free,fair,transparent and peaceful elections,” read a section of the statement.
The justice system has been faulted for having inadequate linkages and accountability mechanisms with respect to security and electoral justice.
“Public order management remains a key challenge so far which if not well managed could lead to serious disharmony in the upcoming general elections,”
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
