The Strathmore Law Clinic in partnership with Crime si Poa conducted a training session for residents in Gatwekera, Kibera, on the Rights of Arrested Persons.

The objective of the session was to enlighten residents on their rights to defend themselves in instances where police activity exceeds its limits.

A tense political atmosphere in the country in 2017 led to extra police presence in slum areas and increased instances of police brutality. Consequently residents felt excessively handled and persecuted.

The Law clinic team, therefore, took time to answer some of their questions in an effort to provide more knowledge of how to react in such circumstances. The lack of participation of relevant state agencies such as IPOA – Independent Policing Oversight Authority – and the Kenya Police in the training, made it difficult to answer all the question as we would have liked. Nonetheless, the residents were grateful for the knowledge they had gained to empower them to react more proactively in future.

 

As Cindy Ajumbo put it, it is our duty on this earth to live more by aiding the helpless, uplifting the downtrodden and fighting for justice.