Amnesty International demands probe into killing of young man from Mathare – Nairobi News

Amnesty International has issued a statement demanding a thorough, impartial and effective investigation into extrajudicial killing of a 25-year-old young man from Mathare.

Kevin Gitau’s body was discovered at Nairobi’s City Mortuary on April 15, 2019.

According to the statement, he was last seen alive on April 14 around 9pm at an OiLibya gas station along Juja Road where he was reportedly forced into a Toyota Probox suspected to be a police vehicle.

“Every person accused of a crime should have their guilt or innocence determined by a fair and effective legal process. But the right to a fair trial is not just about protecting suspects and defendants. It also makes societies safer and stronger. Without fair trials, trust in justice and in government collapses,” said Irũngũ Houghton, Amnesty International Kenya’s Executive Director.

On February 1 this year, Gitau was arrested but was later released after a social media campaign.

1/2 ALERT from @Msjc: Kevin Gitau from Mathare has been arrested by Rashid & was driven around all night in his pro-box.He has just been brought to Eastleigh North Police Station, but he has not been charged with anything(no OB-number).Rashid has threatened that he will kill him

— Uhai Wetu (@UhaiWetu) February 2, 2019

THREATS

“Since his release, he had been receiving threats from a police officer known as Ahmed Rashid. The threats were reported to IPOA. However, in a show of impunity, Pangani Police Station and Huruma Police Station refused to record his statement. It is noteworthy that no visible action was taken by authorities,” added Irungu.

Irungu has called upon the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the new Inspector General of the National Police Service to conduct a thorough, impartial and effective investigation into extrajudicial execution of Gitau.

“Giatu had reported to IPOA on February 8, 2019 that he was receiving threats from the police after his arrest and release after a social media campaign on February 2, 2019,” said Irungu.

“The new Inspector General of the National Police Service must ensure that all those linked to extrajudicial executions and unlawful killings are investigated and prosecuted, all evidence properly preserved and witnesses protected to ensure the credibility of the investigations,” he added.