Kenya: Police Internal Memo – Curfew Guidelines for Law Enforcement (27.03.2020)

Opinion: Police Brutality is not an answer, but a tool of oppression

[to a patrolman who has given someone a ticket at the urging for more arrests] Baker, Let me let you in on a little secret, The patrolling officer on his beat is the one true dictatorship in America, we can lock a guy up on the humble, lock him up for real, or say f*** it and drink ourselves to death under the expressway and our side partners will cover us, No one – I mean no one – tells us how to waste our shift!” – Jimmy McNulty – (The Wire – Episode 10 ‘Misgivings’ Season 4, 2006)

Over the last two days there been lots of victims of police brutality in Uganda and in Kenya. This being in Central Kampala yesterday or today in Mombasa or in Nairobi. This as the new measures by the state to order people home and closing lots of businesses. That is all done to battle the COVID-19 and the Corona virus. However, the Police is acting up and using colonial means to stop people from being around.

Instead of trying to common sense, even talk. They are using batons and using weapons against citizens. They are arresting and putting them on the back of pickups. They are collected together in small spaces, put on their knees and awaiting further bad treatment from the police. This is the misuse of power. Instead of understanding the issues with the Liknoi Ferry or anywhere else. Instad of trying to understand the fruit-seller. The police is using violence and brutality.

They are instead of educating the general public on social distancing, which is needed in this time. The Police are actually using other means. They are actually gathering the public and putting them together. In ways which is dangerous for spreading the virus. Which is the reason for the curfew or the lock-down measures. These sort of measures made to stop the public from being out and about.

Yes, the public should stay home, but also have to recollect. As there are a grand public who lacks funds, who lacks fiscal funding to survive in this trying times. It is not like the state has configured extra money or pay-offs for the civil servants or the informal sectors in the Republics. They just got to survive the days at home without a salary. They are cut off from work and has no compensation.

The states should see this, but the Kenyan or Ugandan government haven’t figured this out. They are instead using the army and police to brutally assault citizens who are still out and about. This is the sort of violence that triggers more fear not a solidarity to stay home. They are more frightened and concerned, instead of being educated and get a deeper understanding of why these measures was made. That is what a police officer or soldier should explain to the vendor, the hawker or whoever they pass by on the streets. Not beat on them like crazy… that is not making things better, but instead… worse.

In both republic’s the police needs a lesson. They need to know better. They are hitting the tax-payer. They are violating their rights. This is something the High Ranking Police Commanders needs to answer for. They need to answer and come correct, because the last 48 hours they been all wrong.

This is police brutality and its unforgivable. They are using batons on civilians. This is really terrible. Tragic. The pain and suffering these citizens has, just because they were in the wrong place and at the wrong time. Because of that, they we’re hurt and assaulted. These people deserved to be treated equally and not met with violence.

However, that was the prescription from the Police. They need to answer for this and also answer to the victims. Who were stacked together in the times of social distancing. Seriously, how dangerous are you and how are misusing your power? Peace.

Kenya: Ministry of Health – Pharmacy and Poisons Board – Re: Information on Hydroxchloroquine and Chloroquine for COVID-19 Patients (25.03.2020)

David Ndii: Open Letter to President Uhuru Kenyatta – Re: COVID-19 in Kenya (25.03.2020)

Central Bank of Kenya: Monetary Police Committee Meeting (23.03.2020)

Kenya: Public Service Commission – Abolition of Offices (18.03.2020)

Opinion: [Nairobi By-Elections] Unnecessary when you can appoint a Major General

Today, President Uhuru Kenyatta have pulled a rabbit out of the hat today. He has gotten one of his loyal soldiers. Someone he has promoted, honoured and served in the Kenyan Defence Force (KFD) . To become the Director General of the newly created Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), this being Major General Mohammed Abdallah Badi. Who has served in AMISOM, run the Moi Airforce Base and now taken over Nairobi County.

Mike Sonko was elected in 2017. However, by the end of 2019 all of his reign started to unravel. The looting, the corruption scandals and the mismanagement of the city became clear to the public. He was even charged and put into prison for a short stint. Nevertheless, he haven’t been sentenced nor had to serve any real time. His out on bond and seemingly free.

Already by 25th February 2020 he signed off parts of Nairobi County to the State House. Clearly sending a message, that he wanted to co-operate, as he still a suspect and not allowed to function as a County Governor. Now on the 18th March 2020 the State House and the President revealed more. They have created a new unit to control the city and its county, but also lost his job.

What we have seen here is a dismissal of ordinary practice. Not to long ago there was a successful impeachment of the Governor of Kiambu, that was also in mid-February 2020. Now, the President and his team surely didn’t want an by-election nor any other way of organizing the Capitol. That is why Sonko had be moved softly and without a scream.

What we are seeing here in the middle of the second term of Kenyatta is a political ploy to not get an by-election. Avoid an impeachment of one of his allies. Mike Sonko of Nairobi. He don’t want to have more politicking, but more sense of control. That is why a loyal brother get a new technical position in the city. His the epitome of technocrat.

Maj. Gen Badi might be a angle, might be the devil, but at this point that doesn’t matter. Yes, by some degree, we can say Governor Sonko followed Article 182(1b) by resigning today. However, we can also question the means and measures of doing so, as there is still not established evidence nor grounds for the article 181(1b), which states that there is serious reason for believing that the county governor has committed a crime under national or international law.

Yes, the DPP and DCI have allegations, but they are not concurred and sentenced through the courts. Not that I believe Sonko is a choir-boy, but righteous actions and means from the State House should be expected and doing both of these things today. Put the whole action into play.

If we are also honest about this, now that the Governor Sonko is out of the picture, as he resigned and the Office is vacant. There should be a by-election. That is if the Constitution still matters in the Republic, as the article 182(5) states that it should happen within 60 days of the vacancy and doesn’t prescribe any possibility of a manufactured organization control the county itself.

That’s why I have a hard time swallowing the Maj. Gen. appointment today. Not that I want Sonko, just like I didn’t like Evans Kidero’s way either. It is just switching gangsters in office, no change just a different face. What is needed is someone who truly represents the citizens and their needs. A technocrat appointed from the President will definitely not do that.

Other than be a loyal water-boy and servant with a army tone to the civil servants of the capital. Following the direct orders like a foot-soldier and try to shake things-up. Nevertheless, that is just a image and not the real deal. His run military operations, an air-field, but a public office. His trying to tame another lion. The Maj. Gen will needs the tears of the lion to give him liquid courage. Because this will not be easy.

Secondly, this should be easy to take to court and nullify. That is if there is any interest in challenging the President and his clientele at the moment. They were busy fighting locusts, now Coronavirus and before that selling the BBI. Now, they had a minor whiff and got rid of one problem.

However, will this be the end of this saga? Nah. I doubt that. A soldier like Maj. Gen Badi will not let this get away. Not that he has gotten here. Peace.

Central Bank of Kenya: Emergency Measures to Mitigate the Adverse Economic Effects on Bank Borrowers from the Coronavirus Pandemic (18.03.2020)

The Kenya Human Rights Commission’s Statement calling for a state of emergency is withdrawn (17.03.2020)

Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union on the latest developments in Somalia (14.03.2020)

The latest incidents on the Kenya-Somalia border and the recent build-up of security forces in the Gedo region have created instability and resulted in casualties and large-scale displacement of civilians. This has had a severe humanitarian impact notably on vulnerable women and children. The fighting in Galmudug at the end of February has also fuelled tensions. Overall, these situations are extremely serious. Furthermore, they divert assets and attention away from military operations against al-Shabaab in Lower and Middle Shabelle and jeopardize hard won stability in Somalia. They are also detrimental to Somalia’s relationships with its neighbours and partners. Urgent steps must be taken to de-escalate.

Full cooperation is needed between the Federal Government of Somalia and the Federal Member States as well as amongst regional partners. Lasting solutions must be found to safeguard the ongoing efforts to degrade al-Shabaab, to build-up integrated Somali security forces and to create a secure and enabling environment for state building and development.

All parties involved should do everything necessary to reduce tensions, exercise restraint, respect the integrity of sovereign borders and seek peaceful resolution of differences between one another.

The European Union underlines the importance of stability and good cooperation among Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia in their common border area where they have shared interests. The engagement and outreach from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, (IGAD) is welcomed in this regard, as well as the recent communication between the Presidents of Somalia and Kenya on 5 March. An anticipated summit between the heads of state and government of Somalia and its neighbours is urgent. It should consider incorporating steps to verify and monitor the situation on the ground as a confidence building measure.

The European Union has always been a strong supporter of Somali state building, notably in the economic and security areas. Recently this commitment was translated into a firm support to Somalia’s debt relief process. The current military situation also calls for an urgent discussion on the state of implementation of agreed joint priorities in the political and security sphere.

This discussion is an important element to continue to strengthen the effective cooperation between Somalia and its international partners in the spirit of mutual accountability and partnership.