PRESS RELEASE ON POST ELECTION VIOLENCE

The National Gender and Equality Commission is appalled by the spiraling wave of violence following the just concluded General elections. We note that the worst affected are vulnerable groups especially women, children and persons with disabilities. We hereby condemn in the strongest terms possible the violent protests and brutal crackdown that has led to loss of life and damage to property.

Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 provides citizens the right to peaceably and unarmed, assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities. We urge those dissatisfied with the Elections outcome to process their grievances through the prescribed avenues of law. We equally urge law enforcement authorities to uphold the rule of law in dealing with demonstrators. We urge the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate alleged cases of brutality and human rights abuse by police with a view of prosecuting the perpetrators.

We have unconfirmed reports of rape and defilement cases having occurred in Nyalenda, Mathare and Kibera. We are following leads and urge anybody with information on the alleged rape and defilement to report incidences to the police immediately and also notify us for followup on our hotlines No. 0709375199 or 0203213199 and our SMS line 20459.

SIGNED
WINFRED O. LICHUMA EBS
CHAIRPERSON