Matiang'i pledges to deal with rogue police who beat up UoN students

juma chrispinus

October 2, 2017 10:03 AM

The move comes even after the Inspector General found it hard to justify the brutality by the police.

Acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi vowed to deal with police officers who were captured on tape clobbering students at the University of Nairobi.

A series of footages widely shared on social media showed police officers clobbering hundreds of University of Nairobi students, who were rioting in protest of the arrest of Embakasi East and former students leader at the university, Mr Paul Ongili, alias Babu Owino.

Matiang'i, who chose not to comment on the matter until he saw the report from the police on the matter, said that the government will act swiftly on the culprits.

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"I hope the IG will conclude the investigations by Monday morning and we shall act accordingly. If the report points to the direction of culpability of individuals, we shall act accordingly as required by the law. This matter is in the public domain and we shall let the public know," said Matiang'i.

The CS spoke at Kebirigo High School on Sunday where he met Nyamira County secondary school principals and security team.

He declined to comment further on the Thursday incident which has attracted uproar after the videos went viral on social media.

"I don't want to comment based on press reports. IPOA and Police are investigating the incident. The government and the president believe in the rule of the law," said Matiang'i.

He added: "I don't want to put the cat before the horse. So let's wait for the report."

Riot police on Thursday rounded up University students from hostels, libraries and lecture halls brutally beating them. Scores of students were injured.

The assault has been widely condemned by ODM, Law Society of Kenya, Kenya National The Commission on Human Rights and UASU.

The students were protesting against the arrest of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino. The sentiments from Dr Mating’i come in the backdrop of a vehement denial by Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet of ill-motives by the police in quelling rioting students.

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