A section of protestors marching in the streets of Nairobi against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and femicide have been teargassed and dispersed by police.
The march was to mark the conclusion of the 16 Days
of Activism against GBV ending on Tuesday.
It aimed to bring together women, human rights activists,
and allies to raise awareness of the increasing cases of femicide and GBV in
the country.
Amnesty International, in a statement released on Tuesday, strongly
condemned the arrest of peaceful protestors and the use of teargas against unarmed
citizens.
“On this International Human Rights Day, a day dedicated to celebrating and upholding the dignity, freedom and rights of all people, we witnessed a grave violation of these very principles," Amnesty said.
“Peaceful protestors in Nairobi, predominantly women and
allies, marching against the epidemic of femicide were teargassed, violently
dispersed, and unlawfully arrested by police,” read the notice
The International Human Rights Organization also condemned
the arrest of the Amnesty International Executive Director Houghton Irungu among
other protestors.
In a video circulating online and accessed by The Star, Irungu is seen being arrested by an alleged plain-clothed policeman and bundled into an awaiting police car amid protests by fellow demonstrators.
“Among those detained are human rights defender Houghton Irungu and two others, who were unjustly arrested despite their peaceful participation,” Amnesty stated.
Through their notice, the human rights organization demanded
the immediate release of all protestors and the police to be held accountable
for their actions.
The 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV)
is a global campaign designed to eliminate violence against women and girls.
The campaign runs annually from November 25 to December 10, highlighting the severe impacts of gender-based violence.
Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo also weighed in on the matter and condemned the attacks.
"There is absolutely no justification for attacking, arresting, and interfering with harmless Kenyans agitating for the protection of women, especially when the threat of violence against women is, ostensibly, a national crisis," she said.
"The Police must refocus their energy on ending and fighting atrocities, not perpetuating them.
We support ending femicide, and we support all the brave Kenyans who came out today to call for the overdue change."
