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Police probe video of UoN students being brutalized


Police have launched investigations after a video was circulated on social media showing police brutally assaulting University of Nairobi students.

The Kenya Police spokesman Charles Owino has, however, said that police had not independently confirmed whether the video was captured during the Monday’s protests at the university.

Mr Owino urged any student who could have been attacked to report to the police station and record their statements.

“Investigations into the alleged attack can only be complete if the victims report to us,” he said.

He said that officers involved in quelling riots were not advised to go to the hostels unless it was very necessary.

“We only prevent them from coming out of the university grounds to cause chaos and destruction. We do not go to their rooms,” he said.


RIOT MANUAL

Nairobi police boss Japhet Koome is set to address a press conference later on Tuesday on the matter.

In the past, concerns had been raised on how police handle riots. Last year, the Commission on Administrative Justice recommended to the Inspector General of Police to review the Riot Manual to meet international standards in line with United Nations basic principles particularly in relation to the use of force and firearms by law enforcement officials.

Any riotous mob should be commanded to disperse peaceably. However, if the proclamation fails to disperse the crowd, it may be possible to disperse them without the use of force, merely by walking forward.

Should this fail, then the minimum force would be employed by firing tear gas followed by the baton party.

This, depending on the crowd’s behavior will be followed by both tear gas grenades plus the baton parties. Rifle fire should be the last resort.