GEMAÂ legal advocacy group has strongly condemned the violent interruption of a church service. They called it an unacceptable violation of constitutional rights and a dangerous rise in political violence in Kenya.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the group voiced deep concern over what it described as a growing trend of violence, intimidation, and disorder becoming more common around political activity. It warned that both government actions and failures have let criminal gangs and armed groups operate without consequences, damaging public trust in legal institutions and replacing the rule of law with fear.
The lawyers questioned the diminishing space for constitutional freedoms. They pointed out that if even places of worship are not safe from violence, then the integrity of both public and private life is seriously threatened. They stressed that Kenya is a constitutional democracy where the use of force by security agencies should be limited, lawful, and respectful of human life.
The group reminded police officers that their job is to maintain peace, not create violence. They stated that any officer who uses force against civilians, as well as any commander who allows or endorses such behavior, breaks their oath and betrays the Constitution.
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Calling for immediate accountability, the organization demanded prompt, independent, and public investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) into the events surrounding the incident. They emphasized that responsibility should go beyond the officers on the ground to include those who planned, authorized, or failed to stop the violence.
The group also urged the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to take firm legal action. They warned that if state institutions do not act quickly, private prosecutions would be sought as allowed by law.
The statement ended with condolences to the victims and a plea for citizens to speak out and responsibly document violations. They affirmed that political violence must never be normal and that justice remains essential in Kenya.
