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Activist held as he protests at
killings
Published on January 18, 2008, 12:00 am
By Masese Machuka and Kristine Oloo
A civil rights’ activist was arrested when he went to police
headquarters to protest at the shooting and killing of two youths
in Kisumu.
Mr Okoiti Omtata tied himself with a chain at the gates of
Vigilance House, Nairobi, in what he termed a "protest of justice"
to end the merciless killings of innocent people by security
agents.
He shouted and called for justice and an end to the political
impasse. Police had a rough time controlling a surging crowd that
gathered.
At one point, the crowd cheered the activist as he narrated to
onlookers the plight of many people "chained by police brutality".
Police then turned on the crowd as six police officers forcefully
unchained Omtata.
They manhandled him as he tried to resist. More than 50 GSU
officers then took charge and frogmarched the activist to the
basement of Kenyatta International Conference Centre.
The busy Harambee Avenue was cleared of passersby as riot police
took charge.
Omtata, who was armed with a statement prepared with other rights’
activists, Mr J Simekha, Mr Stephen Musau and Mr Maurice Odhiambo,
said the killing of harmless people was deplorable.
He said the killing of a young man as he demonstrated peacefully
in Kisumu was unacceptable.
"Action and inaction of a police officer on duty are not supposed
to be motivated by any other interest other than public interest.
This was not the case in the Kisumu murder," he said.
He added: "The policeman should be arrested and held liable for
his beastly actions. Police must demonstrate that they have not
taken sides with oppressors to destroy what cannot be destroyed
politically or otherwise."
Omtata said the action was "by an officer supposedly acting in
public interest. The response from instruments of justice and law
enforcement must equally be public," he demanded.
According to the police, Omtata will be charged with attempted
suicide and causing public disturbance.
He is due to court today. Meanwhile, he is at the Central Police
station.
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