Our goal is simple.
To protect our democratic and constitutional right to protest.
Many Kenyans face repression from the police simply for attending protests.
While Article 37 of the Constitution of Kenya guarantees the right to protest, this right is undermined by both restrictive legislation on public order and police brutality.
Due to the excessive use of force by the police at least 21 protesters and bystanders were injured and 7 killed between January 2018 and July 2019.
The issue goes beyond the right to protest. If we cannot trust the government to allow us to be #FreeToProtest, how can we trust them to protect the rest of our human rights?
This isn’t just a protest issue, this is a human rights issue.
SO WE ARE CALLING ON THE INSPECTOR GENERAL TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND HAVE AN OPEN DISCUSSION REGARDING...
- Better police training.
- Collaborating with other institutions to ensure all cases of police brutality are fully investigated.
- Ensuring the police service resort to non-violence and de-escalation in the first instance.
- An overall approach to policing that is never guided by the anticipation of violence.
IN SIGNING OUR PETITION, YOU ARE SENDING A MESSAGE TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL THAT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND CHANGE NEEDS TO HAPPEN NOW.
We will be hand-delivering an open letter linked to this petition in December with YOUR anonymous signatures to showcase the injustice and demonstrate a need for change.
Together, let's secure a better future for Kenya.
How can I sign the petition?
1) Click the petition button below
2) Input your first name, surname and email address
3) Check the relevant box if you'd like to opt-in or op-out of updates
4) Click the red "sign this petition" button, and make sure to check the small box just underneath if you'd like to remain anonymous
That's it! You've made your voice heard
What if I want to share the petition?
Sharing the Petition on WhatsApp and Facebook Stories.
If you’d like to get involved on WhatsApp or Facebook you can link the petition link to your story.
1) Copy our petition link - https://www.change.org/p/kenya-police-stop-using-violence-in-protests
2) Paste it onto your story.
Sharing the Petition on Twitter.
1) Copy our petition link - https://www.change.org/p/kenya-police-stop-using-violence-in-protests
2) Tweet the link using the #FreeToProtest hashtag with a message explaining why you think it is important we protect our right to protest.
Example Posts.
There were 152 protests between January 2018 and July 2019 in Kenya. In 10% of cases, the authorities responded with live ammunition or tear gas. That is why I am signing the #FreeToProtest petition.
Protestors are targeted and attacked by the police just for exercising their democratic and constitutional right. It is time the police acted as a service, not a force. That is why I am signing the #FreeToProtest petition.
I am signing the #FreeToProtest petition to allow Kenyans 🇰🇪 to protest, free from undue persecution, harm and arrest.
Human rights abuses, undue arrests and extrajudicial killings. This is why I am singing the #FreeToProtest Petition calling on the Inspector General to ensure we are #FreeToProtest now.
Stay Connected With Us.
Sign-up on our landing page for updates on the latest events, and exciting opportunities to join the conversation. #FreeToProtest.