Dont kill a police Officer Press Release on the Assault of a police Officer by a Member of Parliament in Nakuru To all Media Houses 17th August 2013 The recent assault of police officers, along with a number of officer-involved incidents, has raised questions about the safety of the Kenya Police officers. Reports that the Bahati constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Kimani Ngunjiri has been charged in a Nakuru court with six counts related to an incident where he assaulted a traffic policewoman are extremely perturbing. As a lawmaker the MP’s attempts at justifying his actions after he was accused of failing to observe traffic rules, obstructing a police officer while on official duty indicate impunity of the highest order. In a bizarre turn of events, the legislator reported to the Nakuru Central Police Station trying to convince police officers that he had been assaulted by the same officer. This apparent attempt to twist facts is laughable and contemptible! While it is up to the police to investigate the matter to establish who was telling the truth, what is not in dispute is the fact that the MP has brought the august nature of the role of MPs into disrepute and public odium. Eyewitnesses say the MP had parked at a roundabout and failed to observe verbal instructions to move his vehicle when the police ordered him to do so; was arrogant and had no regard to other road users whom he was actually inconveniencing. The MP needs to be made aware that no one is above the law. Parking a vehicle by the side of the road and blocking traffic are symptoms of a dysfunctional law-maker. The fact that the victim is a police officer is not, in itself, an aggravating factor which would justify more serious charge; but we wish to exhort the Director of Public Prosecutions to hasten a decision on whether to charge the MP lest his escapade forms a bad precedent in light of the recent episodes of assault against police officers. Police officers are charged with the responsibility of enforcing law and order and protect the rights, lives and properties of all regardless to their stations in life. They too are human beings whose rights must be respected and protected! We wish to remind Kenyans that Chapter six of the Constitution is very clear on the conduct of state and public officers including Members of Parliament. The actions by the said MP bring shame and disrepute not only to the institution of Parliament but also to the people of Nakuru County and Bahati Constituency specifically. As the courts do their part to ensure justice, we hope that the harshest penalty will be meted out on the member to serve as a deterrent. Meanwhile, the people of Bahati Constituency should commence recall proceedings against the MP for disgracing them. Signed: Masese, Kemunche Program Manager-Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance Convener, Nakuru Civil Society forum; on behalf of the forum members as listed hereunder: 1. Mid-rift human rights network- Joseph Omondi 2. Nakuru Human Rights Network – David Kuria Western 3. Internal Displacement and Policy Advocacy Centre – Leonard Githae Press Release on the Assault of a police Officer by a Member of Parliament in Nakuru To all Media Houses 17th August 2013 The recent assault of police officers, along with a number of officer-involved incidents, has raised questions about the safety of the Kenya Police officers. Reports that the Bahati constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Kimani Ngunjiri has been charged in a Nakuru court with six counts related to an incident where he assaulted a traffic policewoman are extremely perturbing. As a lawmaker the MP’s attempts at justifying his actions after he was accused of failing to observe traffic rules, obstructing a police officer while on official duty indicate impunity of the highest order. In a bizarre turn of events, the legislator reported to the Nakuru Central Police Station trying to convince police officers that he had been assaulted by the same officer. This apparent attempt to twist facts is laughable and contemptible! While it is up to the police to investigate the matter to establish who was telling the truth, what is not in dispute is the fact that the MP has brought the august nature of the role of MPs into disrepute and public odium. Eyewitnesses say the MP had parked at a roundabout and failed to observe verbal instructions to move his vehicle when the police ordered him to do so; was arrogant and had no regard to other road users whom he was actually inconveniencing. The MP needs to be made aware that no one is above the law. Parking a vehicle by the side of the road and blocking traffic are symptoms of a dysfunctional law-maker. The fact that the victim is a police officer is not, in itself, an aggravating factor which would justify more serious charge; but we wish to exhort the Director of Public Prosecutions to hasten a decision on whether to charge the MP lest his escapade forms a bad precedent in light of the recent episodes of assault against police officers. Police officers are charged with the responsibility of enforcing law and order and protect the rights, lives and properties of all regardless to their stations in life. They too are human beings whose rights must be respected and protected! We wish to remind Kenyans that Chapter six of the Constitution is very clear on the conduct of state and public officers including Members of Parliament. The actions by the said MP bring shame and disrepute not only to the institution of Parliament but also to the people of Nakuru County and Bahati Constituency specifically. As the courts do their part to ensure justice, we hope that the harshest penalty will be meted out on the member to serve as a deterrent. Meanwhile, the people of Bahati Constituency should commence recall proceedings against the MP for disgracing them. Signed: Masese, Kemunche Program Manager-Centre for Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance Convener, Nakuru Civil Society forum; on behalf of the forum members as listed hereunder: 1. Mid-rift human rights network- Joseph Omondi 2. Nakuru Human Rights Network – David Kuria Western 3. Internal Displacement and Policy Advocacy Centre – Leonard Githae
Posted on: Mon, 19 Aug 2013 09:55:37 +0000
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