Lawyers calls for probe into Githurai killings

By Moses Muli

Published: June 26,2024 5:32 PM

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is now calling for an independent investigation on the ‘massacre’ meted on Githurai, Kiambu County residents on Tuesday night, following reports that police shot and killed an unknown number of the local residents.

Addressing the press in Nairobi, the LSK President Faith Odhiambo urged the international community to head the investigations stating that human rights were violated, and a number of the residents injured.

“I dare ask, is Githurai a protected area? is it an area where members of the public should not stay? Why was there a massacre where people were living peacefully? We demand answers,” she stated.

At the same time, the Society castigated the government for deploying the Kenya Defence Forces to quell the fracas stating that Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula contravened the law.

“The government’s action is unconstitutional and therefore illegal,” Odhiambo said.

Her statement came even as police remain mum over the alleged killings with the locals claiming that police went on a shooting spree killing and injuring people who were minding their own businesses.

In a quick rejoinder, the police stated that 20 of their officers were injured after a group of about 6,000 youths attacked them and lit a bonfire on Thika Road.

“As they were withdrawing they blocked the road with an electric pole and consequently cut off the police Land Cruiser belonging to Mwiki police station from the convoy and completely burned it down and vandalised its remains,” an OB report seen by The Standard read in part.

In the same breath, the Kenya Human Rights Commission issued a statement saying that at least 30 people were shot dead in Githurai on Tuesday, and 100 are nursing gunshot wounds.

And in a twist of events, the president while addressing the nation at state house in a moment ago has bowed to pressure from Kenyans and conceded not to sign the financial bill 2024 into law. He has promised to engage the youthful Kenyans and other stakeholders in charting the way forward concerning the contentious bill. consequently, the President has promised austerity measures in cutting down the expenditure and other operational costs in the executive and other government institutions.

He lamented the death of the six protestors killed in yesterday’s skirmishes witnessed in Nairobi and other towns around the country and promised accountability and framework for the dead.