Kenya: Human rights activists killed

  1. Posted on Friday 6 March 2009 - 11:10
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    Jack Shaka, AfricaNews reporter in Nairobi, Kenya
    Oscar Foundation Executive Director Kamau King'ara and Programmes Co-ordinator Paul Oulu have been shot dead. The killing took place around 7.30pm on State House Road. The two were among the people that met UN Special Rapporteur on Extra-Judicial Killings Philip Alston during his ten day visit.
    Lameck Nyagudi riots in the streets of kenya
    University of Nairobi students who heard the gunshots were scared of coming too close to the scene in fear of being killed as the killers sped off. University of Nairobi hostels are located on State House Road which also houses the residence of the President of Kenya-State House.

    This comes as chaos took centre stage characterised by a demonstration by the outlawed Mungiki Sect. They were protesting the Extra-Judicial killings of some of their members by the government forces.

    UN Expert, Prof Philip Alston, last month indicted the Police Chief and Attorney General of Kenya and asked them to resign over Extra-Judicial killings by the government forces.

    Earlier on Wednesday, the Government Spokesman accused the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Mungiki and the Oscar Foundation for planning the demonstrations.

    ‘This illegal demonstration meant to cause mayhem is planned by the Mungikis, NGOs and The Oscar Foundation.’ The statement said.

    Business was disrupted Thursday as operators decided to withdraw their buses from the city routes in fear that the demonstrations might lead to destructions like in the past where buses have been burnt. The police were forced to use tear gas to dispatch the crowds in various towns.

    The police made several arrests as the chaos ensued.

    The Sect members are accused of demanding fees from bus operators and business owners in various routes in Nairobi, Rift valley and Central Provinces.

    With the chaos going on, city dwellers were forced to walk for kilometres to and from work as there were no buses plying the routes.

    Leaders have condemned the sect though some in the past have been accused of funding the activities of the sect. With the death of the Oscar Foundation bosses a lot of questions are bound be asked in the light of the chaos that took place on Thursday.

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