KENYA: Police execute seven people in cold blood

On 25 July 2001, an elite squad of the Kenyan Police Force surrounded a bus, forced all the passengers out and detained eight people. The passengers were then allowed to continue with their journey. Many eyewitnesses reported that seven of the detainees, who had been ordered to lie on the ground, were then shot in the back by police officers. The eighth person was alleged to have been put into the boot of one of the police vehicles.

The police said that there was a shoot-out between the police officers and the suspected robbers. This account has been challenged by a number of witnesses at the scene.

'The killing of the alleged robbers by the police is yet another indication of the authorities' disregard for the human rights of Kenyans. The lack of impartial, and independent investigations into similar cases has only reinforced the view that the government actively condones excessive use of force by the police,' Amnesty International said.

Over recent years, Amnesty International has documented numerous cases of excessive use of force and extrajudicial killings by the Kenya police force. The organization has made numerous calls on the Kenyan authorities to ensure that the rule of law is upheld and that those who use excessive force are made accountable and brought to justice.

In a recent report, Kenya: Ending the Cycle of Impunity, Amnesty International demonstrated that torture continues to be committed by the Kenya police force because of the lack of effective action by the government.

'The government has the duty and obligation to uphold both domestic and international legislation in order to protect its citizens from torture and extrajudicial executions,' Amnesty Internationa said.

Read the report: Kenya: Ending the Cycle of Impunity