As an organization that supports media freedoms and human rights in Kenya, the Bloggers Association of Kenya (BAKE) is dismayed at how the Kenyan Police has handled a journalist and the public in implementing the 7PM-5AM curfew ordered by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
As witnessed in different parts of the country in the evening of 27th March 2020, Kenyans were beaten and their rights violated by the police who used excessive force against them, citing curfew violations.
The police further assaulted a journalist in Likoni, Mombasa despite the exceptions of all media practitioners from the curfew as they are considered essential services.
Human dignity (article 28), freedom and security of people(article 29), freedom of movement (article 39) and freedom of the media(article 34) are guaranteed in the Constitution of Kenya. It is our prayer that the Kenyan Government will work towards protecting Kenyans, especially in these desperate times. The curfew is meant to protect Kenyans from contacting the Coronavirus, not to harm them.
BAKE also demands the arrest of the concerned officers and prosecute them to the fullest extent of the law.