Imanyara condemns police for teargassing Mutunga, activists

Lawyer Gitobu Imanyara has condemned officers at the Central Police station for teargassing lawyers who had gone to bail out detained activists who were arrested on Friday during Saba Saba protests.

Imanyara said the officers' actions were uncalled for since entering a police station to facilitate the release of suspects is not a criminal offence.

"The crime is by the police officers who teargassed and violently chased them out of the police compound, a public place. We will never allow a return to a police state we were before 2010," he said in a statement on Twitter.

Lawyers and human rights defenders were on Saturday teargassed at the police station as they sought the release of 32 pro-democracy activists who were nabbed during Friday's protests. 

Former Chief Justice Willie Mutunga and renowned activist Boniface Mwangi were among the group. 

Other activists present at the station were Kenya National Commission on Human Rights commissioner Victor Kamau and city lawyer Lempaa Soyinka. 

The team had camped at the police station, attracting a crowd that police termed a threat.

The officers dispersed the group forcing Mutunga and his comrades to scamper for safety.

Mwangi said Senior Counsel John Khaminwa had visited the station  Friday night accompanied by Mutunga but their plea to have those arrested released fell on deaf ears.

In a tweet, the activist condemned the police brutally meted on them.

"Police have decided to teargas their workplace, and beat some of us. This criminal act was ordered by OCS Central Police Station, Moses Mutayi. Our “Christian” government is doing the devil’s work. Happy Sabbath @WilliamsRuto and @rigathi. Continue undermining the Constitution," he said.

In a subsequent tweet, Mwangi refuted claims by a local TV station via a tweet that has since been deleted that the police action was prompted by protests at the station by the lawyers and activists.

"No one was protesting! We were there to demand the unconditional release of peaceful protesters who are being held illegally at Central Police Station. Also, our Constitution allows the right to protest, anywhere and everywhere. Constitution allows that. Thank you."