The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has raised concern following Interior CS Kithure Kindiki's order to citizens living in bandit-prone areas.
CS Kithure, on Sunday, March 12, ordered residents living in 27 bandit-prone regions to vacate within 24 hours or else be dealt with as bandits.
“The specified spaces are hereby declared scenes of crime and any person found therein from Monday, March 13, 2023, at 0830 hours will be treated as a suspect of armed banditry, or as a suspect of aiding and abetting banditry, or an accessory after the fact. Everyone must get out,” Kindiki stated.
However, on Tuesday, March 14, KNCHR said they were deeply concerned by the unfolding human rights situation in the six (6) Counties of Turkana, Elegeyo Marakwet, Baringo, West Pokot, Samburu, and Laikipia.
The Human rights organization noted that civilians, who indeed have been victims of banditry activities, are struggling to move out of the disturbed areas with nowhere to go.
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"The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights notes that most of the areas identified and dubbed as “crime scenes” are civilians' habitual places of residence and the net effect of the vacate order will have far-reaching negative effects on a myriad of their human rights and fundamental freedoms as protected in our Constitution.
"The civilians, who indeed have been victims of banditry activities, are struggling to move out of the disturbed areas with nowhere to go; and the resultant impact is the mushrooming of overcrowded makeshift camps and centers with no provisions for basic commodities like water, food, reasonable standards of sanitation and healthcare services. Suffice it to say, the relocation move has been particularly torturous for the vulnerable groups in these communities; specifically to the elderly, persons with disabilities, children, the sick and expectant women," part of the statement read.
To avoid the situation degenerating into a humanitarian crisis, KNCHR has advised the government to consider extending the 24-hour ultimatum to ensure all civilians have been fully evacuated from the troubled areas.
In addition, KNHCR also wants the security agencies to guarantee the safety and security of all civilians in the identified areas and guarantee them a safe and orderly passage.
