Public outrage is growing over the arrest of a youth leader by the anti-terrorism police on Friday just after he was released by a court of law.
The family of Peter Kinyanjui, the Kiambu Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) youth coordinator, spent the whole day yesterday in an unsuccessful search for him.
The Judicial Service Commission condemned the "excessive use of force" by police at the Ruiru Law Courts where Kinyanjui was rearrested. "The facts indicate that the accused had been released on bond following a court ruling when shortly thereafter, a team of police officers stormed the court premises to re-arrest him.
During this action, gunfire was discharged within the court precincts, despite the absence of any security threat or civil disorder," said the statement signed by JSC Secretary Winfridah Mokaya. READ: DCP youth leader arrested for allegedly planning protests freed "While the Commission recognises and respects the constitutional mandate of the police to enforce the law and apprehend suspects, the use of firearms in a court environment is excessive, unjustified and an affront to the authority and dignity of the Judiciary." The family is now demanding that the government releases their kin from wherever they are holding him since he had lawfully been set free by court.
