Establish public probe to address police killings
What was spoken in whispers and low tones has now burst into the open. The revelation that a killer squad had been formed and was operating in The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and was being used to abduct and kill Kenyans had only been talked about in whispers.
People were being abducted almost daily by a group that acted with complete and utter impunity. So cocksure was this killer squad that they abducted their victims in full glare of the public without a care in the world.
Their victims either disappeared or were found dumped in rivers and forests.
Extrajudicial killings had become a way of life, and nobody knew who was next. There was nothing anybody could do, that was the level of protection the killer squad enjoyed.
President William Ruto has ordered a probe into all abductions, disappearances and executions of Kenyans. This announcement has brought a rush of hope to families, friends, and relatives of people who were abducted and either ended up dead, or have never been seen or heard from again.
Families of these victims have lived a terrified existence since their kin disappeared. Some continue living in limbo because the remains of their family members have never been recovered, and so they don’t know whether they are alive or dead.
The Government needs to put in place mechanisms to facilitate this probe. Accountability should be at two levels.
First, the leader — the person who established the squad, resourced it and deployed it as a killer squad. Secondly, the executioners — they must face the full force of the law for abduction, torture and murder. No law allows police to undertake extrajudicial killings.
The next steps
Establish a public probe made up of prominent Kenyans to do this. Open regional centres in Kenya where the families of victims who were abducted or disappeared mysteriously can register the details of their missing kin. Prepare a register of the victims. This is what the probe committee will use as their schedule of work, so as to bring closure and accountability for each case. Offer a plea bargain to any perpetrators who voluntarily offers information in confidence that will lead to resolution of any of these cases.
Kenyans should now come out and talk about their experiences. People who have been terrorised into silence because of fear should let the world hear their stories.
And, lastly, adequately compensate these families for loss of a breadwinner, father, son, brother. The President should also issue a full and formal apology to all the affected families and Kenyans on behalf of the Government for the grave actions of a police force that was supposed to protect Kenyans but instead turned on them.
This moment provides the President a perfect opportunity to heal Kenya. This is the first time in Kenya’s history that police killer squads have been exposed and names put to shadowy figures. This is the first time secret police squad members are being brought to account for abductions and executions.
The Government can use this chance to slay all dragons of impunity that have dogged Kenya since independence. It is also a perfect time to heal the wounds of 60 years of State terrorism against citizens.
The Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) report is still gathering dust on the shelves. So is the Ndungu Report on grabbed land. It is time to implement the recommendations of these reports. Victims of the 2007-2008, most of whom were hustlers and lost their land and businesses, are still awaiting compensation and restitution. The President should wipe away their tears.
These actions will require huge political will, even as actors in the “system” who will be exposed and brought to account fight a desperate rearguard action to subvert progress.
If President William Ruto wants to graduate from being a “good caretaker president” to a great president, he needs look no further.
Just heal Kenya.
