Rights bodies blame Kenya police for killing protesters

Police killed at least 33 people, possibly as many as 50, and injured hundreds following protests that rocked the Aug. 8 elections in Kenya, according to the international rights groups.

In a 37-page joint report titled "'Kill Those Criminals': Security Forces' Violations in Kenya's August 2017 Elections" released on Monday, the Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International focused on the use of excessive force by Kenyan police that led to many deaths in opposition strongholds.

"Researchers found that although police behaved appropriately in some instances, in many others they shot or beat protesters to death.

"Other victims died of asphyxiation from inhaling tear gas and pepper spray, from being hit by tear gas canisters fired at close range, or from being trampled to death by fleeing crowds," the report said.

"Police were directly implicated in the deaths of at least 33 people, researchers found. Another 17 were alleged killed, most of them in Kawangware, but researchers could not confirm the cases."

Michelle Kagari, deputy regional director for East Africa, the Horn, and the Great Lakes at Amnesty International, said: "This deadly use of excessive force has become a hallmark of police operations in Kenya and must be decisively stopped before the next election takes place."

The rights groups called on all those responsible for unlawful use of force to be held to account.

In a statement to media houses, police spokesman George Kinoti dismissed the report, saying: "We wish to refute the claims as totally misleading and based on falsehoods. "We are studying the report and will issue a comprehensive report later."

Kenya has been rocked by tri-weekly protests since the announcement of Uhuru Kenyatta's win during the Aug. 8 general elections; the election victory was later annulled by the country's top court over illegalities.

The protests call for removal of electoral officials alleged to have aided the ruling party in poll rigging.

On Friday, police allegedly shot dead three protesters during countrywide protests.