Activists Warned Against Interfering with Counter-Terrorism Operations

The Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) has issued a stern warning to activists against meddling in counter-terrorism operations.

In a statement on Wednesday, November 12, CTP defended police officers, saying they go to great lengths to protect Kenyans from terrorists and drug-smuggling activities.

CTP called on activists to respect the police officers and keep activism out of their workplaces.

“Keep activism out of our Counter-Terrorism Police. These young officers you are harassing in their places of duty every day go to great lengths to protect Kenyans.

“They are separated from their loved ones to protect Kenyans from Terrorists and drug smugglers. Commercial activists, if you can't appreciate their work, keep activism out of their work stations and respect their work,” CTP stated.

This comes after Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) director Khelef Khalifa, four other activists, and two journalists were arrested at the Sabaki Bridge checkpoint in Malindi while heading to Lamu.

In a statement, Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid said the activists demanded that the police officers manning the roadblock remove their balaclavas and show their identity cards.

“Five human rights defenders and two journalists have been arrested near Malindi for demanding that police officers manning a road block remove their balaclavas.

“The activists had a copy of a court order which ruled that officers in public spaces should be in uniform and not to cover their faces,” said Khalid.

Following the arrest, activists were taken to the Malindi police station.

Meanwhile, MUHURI has condemned the incident, terming it illegal and a form of intimidation aimed at silencing activists.

“This is a cheap intimidation tactic; a wild goose chase meant to waste our time and silence our voices. But we see it for what it is. Release them. Now. All of them,” the organization said in a statement.