UN official to probe Claims of Police Killings

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By Maseme Machuka

Kenya is on the spot over extra judicial killings.

A United Nations team is in the country to investigate the extent of "reports of increased arbitrary killings by law enforcers".

The UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Philip Alston, will investigate from February 16 to 25.

Alston’s trip comes as the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights and the Oscar Foundation called on the Government to come clean on the killings.

Commission Vice-Chairman Hassan Omar told the State to explain deaths and disappearance of youth in Central and Nairobi provinces.

Mr Omar said independent investigation put the dead and disappearances at more than 1,500.

Oscar Foundation put the number at 8,000. Alston will meet Government officials, the Provincial Administration and MPs.

"His visit will also include meetings with survivors of torture and witnesses to killings, NGOs, academics and other civil society," read a statement from the UN.

Alston will report on alleged killings and reasons that may have prevented prosecution of those responsible.

"Based on information got during the visit, the Special Rapporteur will present a report on his conclusions and recommendations to the Human Rights Council," said the UN.

In a recent interview on KTN, Police Spokesman Eric Kiraithe placed the number of those who have disappeared at 3,000.

Last week, Justice Minister Martha Karua faulted the police and accused them of killing suspects instead of sending them to courts to stand trial.