The Law Society of Kenya is keeping a keen watch on the protests across the country.
While the protestors have been peaceful and law-abiding, the police have acted without provocation and without justifiable cause to break up assemblies by lobbing tear gas on protestors and using water canons to disperse the youths.
It is utterly disgraceful that police bosses have not smelt the coffee that change is in the air.
They are still stuck in the old order, giving instructions that are manifestly unlawful and unconstitutional.
It is a shame that the police, despite massive investments in not just reforming the service but also agitating for welfare of individual officers, do policing as though Article 37 of the constitution does not exist.
It is even more disgraceful that officers deployed to the streets do not understand that their assignment, as per the constitution, is to manage the crowds and, with restraint, maintain law and order, rather than quell the protests and suppress free expression of the will of the people.
We emphasise our solidarity with the people of Kenya, and that is why countless members of the law society have been at hand to offer pro bono legal services, supporting the protesters who have been subjected to illegal arrests, harassment and intimidation.
A section of our members have also freely joined the protestors in expressing their will in solidarity with the people.
I will emphasise that it is fundamental that the sovereign people of Kenya must exercise their right under Article 37 without fear of persecution or unwarranted aggression.
We call on the protestors to continue maintaining peace as they agitate for their rights. We urge all protesters not to give any malicious aggressors the opportunity to breach enjoyment of rights.
We reiterate our stern warning to officers of the National Police Service that acts of violence and arbitrariness will be met with strong opposition and personal legal consequences.
We are taking a detailed record of all atrocities being perpetrated by officers contrary to their duty to protect all citizens and will commence necessary legal action.
LSK president spoke to the Star