Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai has ordered immediate investigations into incidents of police brutality that were witnessed on Monday at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
IG Mutyambai explains what will happen next after police were caught on camera beating JKUAT students
Police brutality
Statement by Inspector General of Police on police brutality against JKUAT students
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In a statement to newsrooms, IG Mutyambai noted that the matter had been forwarded to the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) following widespread uproar over video clips that captured police beating up students.
"Our attention has been drawn to a video clip circulating on social media platforms of police officers applying what appears to be excessive force on a student of JKUAT.
Statement by Inspector General of Police on police brutality against JKUAT students
IG Hillary Mutyambai with DPP Noordin Haji & DCI George Kinoti
Pulse Live Kenya
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"Following the unfortunate incident, the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) has been directed to commence investigations and make recommendations for action within 24 hours," the statement read in part.
Police are trained - IG Mutyambai on JKUAT incident
The IG further explained that the police had responded to the protests by JKUAT within their mandate to maintain law and order.
He argued that police officers are trained on respecting human rights and always under instruction to quash crime with a force that is proportionate to the offence.
"It is important to note that all police officers have gone through rigorous and professional training on management of riots and unlawful assemblies.
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"Officers have also been trained on the need to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms, and that, use of force must be legal and of necessity to the needs of justice; it must be applied to the extent that it remains proportionate to the gravity of the offence and with full accountability," IG Mutyambai explained.
Statement by Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai on police brutality against JKUAT students
Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai (Twitter)
Pulse Live Kenya
JKUAT has since been closed indefinitely wit students claiming that the university's management has done little to ensure their safety within the campus.
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