The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has written to the Director of Public Prosecutions calling for speedy trial of people arrested during the 'Nane Nane' march.
The seven people mostly rights activists, were arrested by police on Tuesday over unlawful assembly.
In a letter dated August 8 and copied to the Inspector General of Police and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, the KNCHR expressed concern that the seven were still being detained at Central Police Station awaiting to be charged.
They include Daniel Mala, Julius Kamau, Ibrahim Ombati, Happy Olal, Andrew Okola, Dennis Mbogo and Said Athman.
“Based on the foregoing and while the commission follows up on the other abuses by the police, the commission requests your good office to urgently review the intended charges against the protestors," Kamanda Mucheke said.
Mucheke is the head of the complaints and investigations directorate at KNCHR.
He further called on the police to ensure that the criminal justice system is not used to perpetrate injustices and human rights abuses by the police.
The EACC has hit out at the police for failing to acknowledge notifications for planned protests and unlawfully arresting people.
In this particular case, for instance, KNCHR alleges that despite the civil society and individual citizens under the Social Justice Centers Working Group having presented their intent to hold a peaceful march on August 8, the officers failed to acknowledge the receipt of the notification.
“The protesters proceeded with the peaceful march but were brutally dispersed by the police resulting in several injustices and several arrests,” Mucheke said.
