Kenyan Catholic bishops have condemned brutal violence as security forces moved to enforce a nationwide curfew announced in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
Bishop John Obala Owaa, the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops Justice and Peace Commission chairman, said the bishops were in disbelief at beatings the police meted out on citizens caught outside beyond the deadline.
“We witnessed with shock, as vulnerable members of the society such as women, children and also some critical actors such as journalists and food suppliers being equally harassed by security officers,” said Owaa in a statement on 28 March. “The actions by law enforcement officers yesterday (March 27) across the country especially in Mombasa are unacceptable.”
In Mombasa, where people were beaten as they lay on the ground, Fr Wilybard Lagho, the vicar general of the Mombasa Archdiocese said the police action was predictable and ought to be condemned in the strongest terms possible.
“It means the police reforms Kenya has undertaken are not succeeding. We would expect the police, the after the reforms, to take a more humane approach in dealing with challenges like this one,” Lagho told The Tablet.
Some unconfirmed reports say that one person has died in western Kenya following the violence, while scores of others were injured in the country where 41 cases are confirmed.
Owaa, the bishop of Ngong, said the action added even more injury to the people who are already suffering, and increased the risk of further spread and infections, even among the security officers.
According to the bishop, Kenyans, especially those who rely on daily earnings, just need an “enabling” environment to continue their livelihood activities.
At the same time, he called on the citizens to obey the 7pm to 5am curfew and the security agencies to follow guidelines on social distancing when controlling crowds and enforcing laws.
The bishop urged the government to plan more effectively, all employers to plan their work to safeguard their employees during the curfew hours and the country to search for creative solutions to accommodate all categories of people.
“We reiterate that human dignity and sanctity of life is a value which must be upheld at all times,” said Owaa.
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