Muslim leaders have condemned the use of excessive force by the police to contain youth participating in recent anti-tax protests.
In a statement issued Thursday, the leaders urged President William Ruto to take action against cases of police brutality and abductions.
“As a sign of leadership and patriotism, we urge you to unequivocally and publicly rein in rogue police officers and restrain them from harming, arresting, or kidnapping peaceful protestors,” the statement read.
The leaders also demanded the release of those in police custody and compensation for protestors in hospitals, as well as assistance for the families of those killed by police actions.
“We urge you to release those in police custody or just missing and for the state to underwrite and meet the costs of those protestors in hospitals and provide assistance to families in the burials of those slain by police,” the leaders stated.
Further, the leaders, drawn from the Supreme Council of Kenya Muslims (SUPKEM), the National Muslim Leaders Forum (NAMLEF), and the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK), expressed concern over the escalating violence and unrest in the country. They called for new approaches to tackle the challenges facing the nation.
“The youth are seeking and demanding actions on the raft of issues they have raised. They are not interested in a Multi-Sectoral Forum to dialogue over things and issues which are quite apparent and within your means to do or to initiate within the premise of our laws and constitution.”
