Homa Bay County Governor Gladys Wanga has condemned police brutality witnessed in Homa Bay town during recent anti-finance bill protests that have left eight injured.
Governor Wanga checked on the victims of the protests and expressed her displeasure with law enforcement's handling of the demonstrations.
“We are shocked by the actions of the police here because now we have eight young people admitted here with bullet wounds, three in theatre, and others waiting to be taken to theatre.”
During her visit to Homa Bay County Teaching and Referral Hospital, Wanga emphasized that the police involvement was excessive and unnecessary, stressing that the right to demonstrate unarmed is a constitutional right.
Governor Wanga urged the government to ensure that police officers protect citizens rather than harm them during protests.
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Further, she recalled instances where police disrupted peaceful protests, such as the post-election demonstrations and the Azimio la Umoja Coalition's petitions against the Kenya Kwanza government.
"We left our young children to be on the streets, but now the way it is going, we are going to put on our shoes and boots and join them," declared Governor Wanga.
Despite the chaos, Governor Wanga confirmed that no property was destroyed in Homa Bay, highlighting that the excessive force used by the police was unjustified.
She called on Homa Bay-based police to exercise restraint when dealing with civilians, particularly the young people advocating for a just cause.
