LSK Demands Probe into Githurai ‘Mass Killing’

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) is urging an impartial inquiry into the alleged ‘mass killing’ of residents in Githurai, Kiambu County, on Tuesday evening.

Reports indicate that police opened fire leading to an unspecified number of casualties. Reports of intense gunfire and loss of life have sparked serious concerns about potential human rights violations and the conduct of security forces during protests against the Finance Bill. Eyewitness accounts and viral videos depict a scene of chaos on the Thika Highway in Githurai 45. Reportedly, civilians were caught in the crossfire as they went about their daily routines.

In response to the incident, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has called for an independent investigation into what they have termed a “massacre.” LSK President Faith Odhiambo questions why a residential area like Githurai had become a battleground. She challenges the government’s actions, emphasizing that human rights have been violated and innocent lives lost unnecessarily. The government’s decision to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to quell the unrest has drawn criticism with the Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale and Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula facing accusations of violating the law by involving the military in civilian matters.

The LSK contends that such actions are unconstitutional and illegal. While police maintain that officers from both Githurai sub-county and Kasarani responded to the situation, residents tell a different story. Some claim that security forces fired indiscriminately, while others assert that protestors had blocked the highway, prompting police action. The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has added its voice to the outcry, alleging that at least 30 people lost their lives in Githurai yesterday with approximately 100 more sustaining gunshot wounds.