Retired chief justice Willy Mutunga was on Saturday, July 8, caught in the midst of a melee as police dispersed activists who had gone to the Central Police Station to demand release of detained protesters.
The 35 detainees have been held at the station since Friday, July 7, after being arrested in the streets of Nairobi while partaking in the Saba Saba mass action demonstrations.
Activist Boniface Mwangi shared a clip on Twitter showing Mutunga and other attorneys he was in company of scampering for safety after the law enforcers unleashed teargas on them.
He claimed the officers acted on orders from their seniors led by Moses Mutayi, the officer commanding the station.
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"Police have decided to teargas their work place, and beat some of us. This criminal act was ordered by OCS Central Police Station, Moses Mutayi. Our “Christian” government is doing the devil’s work. Happy Sabbath William Ruto, Rigathi Gachagua. Continue undermining the Constitution," he tweeted.
Earlier, Mwangi had asked the Azimio La Umoja top brass to take responsibility after the arrest of the protesters.
He addressed the plea to the Azimio principals Raila Odinga and Martha Karua to come out and demand the release of the detainees.
"Good morning Raila Odinga, Martha Karua, and the Azimio fratenity. 35 of your supporters were arrested yesterday. They're are being held at Central Police Station. It’s your duty to get them released. Activists being held here are 32. The HRDs were arrested in the CBD," said Mwangi.
Mutunga while accompanying Mwangi to the station with food for the detainees registered his displeasure with the manner in which the state was handling peaceful demonstrators.
The one-time CJ observed that dictatorship was taking course in the country, reversing the gains made in terms of democracy and citizenry's rights and freedom.
They wanted the 35 unconditionally released from detention as they is no proof they committed crimes while partaking in their constitutional right to picket.
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