The Kenya Human Rights Commission has urged the police to immediately detain and prosecute the officers who shot and killed two residents of Ramula, Siaya County during the protests over the eviction that took place without warning.
The protests began when the human rights defenders presented how the illegal and forceful resettlement process was linked with the mining operations of Shanta Gold Limited. Many of the protests were directed against police who fired tear gas and live bullets, killing two and causing panic that led to the displacement of more than 57 families.
This has further raised tension in the locality. Several human rights organizations have come accused the police, claiming that the police are masters of brutalizing the unarmed civilians without any justification.
KHRC called the killings and other violations of the residents such as harassment a clear breach of human rights and due process. The Commission currently insists that the police officers’ behavior should be looked at by an independent body, and that the government should not only give justice but also make sure those responsible are punished.
Earlier in the week, a resettlement delegation comprising Siaya Governor James Orengo and police visited the scene, where Orengo expressed his displeasure at the presence of the General Service Unit officers and declared it unnecessary and provocative.