Post by kingtut on Dec 15, 2008 22:51:10 GMT 3
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President’s guards tortured me’
Published on 13/12/2008
By David Ochami and Beauttah Omanga
Detained human rights activist Fredrick Odhiambo Owuor claims presidential guards tortured him and tried to castrate him after arresting him at the Jamhuri Day celebrations.
He is now admitted to Nairobi Women’s Hospital under the guard of three armed policemen from Lang’ata Police Station. He was taken to the station yesterday morning after spending a night in solitary confinement, without food or drink, at Nyayo Stadium police post.
Owuor said he was in pain. A doctor who examined him told The Standard on Sunday that he will be admitted for some days for further tests.
The doctor, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to comment on Odhiambo’s condition, has recommended a special examination of his private parts.
He said preliminary tests showed Owuor had soft tissue injuries in many parts of his body.
Blows and kicks
Owuor, who recounted his ordeal from police cells and later at the hospital, said he could identify the officers who "tried to castrate me after subjecting me to torture and death threats."
Presidential guards arrested Odhiambo Owuor on Friday. He was later taken to hospital with injuries.
[PHOTOS:STAFFORD ONDEGO AND COLLINS KWEYU /STANDARD]
Presidential guards seized him when he started heckling as the President addressed the crowd during Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium on Friday.
He said he was expressing his concern over high food costs and the passing of the controversial Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill 2008.
After being overpowered by about a dozen agents, he claims he was hurled into an underground dungeon within the stadium before being moved to a cell.
To cover their trail and stall communication with other activists, the agents crushed Owuor’s cell phone on the wall before tearing down his clothes.
He said the officers whipped and kicked him.
"Some of them said ‘we should just kill him’. They told me they could kill me and nothing would be done because of their privileged positions."
Owuor also claimed about nine officers tore down his trousers and squeezed his genitals.
He claims one of the agents tried to knock him out with a wet piece of clothes laced with a sedative. He became drowsy and was hurled into a lonely cell and taken back to Nyayo Stadium until midday, yesterday, when he was transferred to Lang’ata Police Station.
His lawyer Harun Ndubi claimed Owuor "was extensively tortured by" his tormentors and added he might require specialised treatment.
And the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHCR) accused the police of manhandling journalists and human rights activists.
"It is time the President reviewed the work of Police Commissioner Maj-General Hussein Ali. He has tarnished the President’s legacy," said Hassan Omar Hassan, KNCHR vice chairman.
He said Ali was to blame for the sustained harassment of the media and human rights activists.
Addressing a press conference yesterday in Nairobi, Hassan demanded immediate release of the MARS chairman Mwalimu Mati, his wife and journalists.
Rights abuse
He said the police were misguided by arresting peaceful demonstrators and reminded the law enforcers their cardinal responsibility was to ensure there was peace and security.
Veteran plolitician Martin Shikuku condemned the arrest of Odhiambo and journalists.
"It is a shame after 45 years of independence, innocent Kenyans are still being arrested. After years of fighting for press freedom and Kenyans demanding for their rights, what Parliament has done is oppressive."
The Kenya Muslims Youth Alliance equated the passing of the Bill in Parliament and the arrests to a declaration of a state of emergency by colonialists in 1952, which heralded the crackdown on freedom fighters.
"This day is also equal in magnitude to that in 1982 when Parliament declared Kenya a one party state thus heralding a regrettable era of political repression," the group said.
The Muslims youth alliance expressed concern the promise of good governance was being abused.
Additional reporting by Morton Saulo
President’s guards tortured me’
Published on 13/12/2008
By David Ochami and Beauttah Omanga
Detained human rights activist Fredrick Odhiambo Owuor claims presidential guards tortured him and tried to castrate him after arresting him at the Jamhuri Day celebrations.
He is now admitted to Nairobi Women’s Hospital under the guard of three armed policemen from Lang’ata Police Station. He was taken to the station yesterday morning after spending a night in solitary confinement, without food or drink, at Nyayo Stadium police post.
Owuor said he was in pain. A doctor who examined him told The Standard on Sunday that he will be admitted for some days for further tests.
The doctor, who declined to be named because he was not authorised to comment on Odhiambo’s condition, has recommended a special examination of his private parts.
He said preliminary tests showed Owuor had soft tissue injuries in many parts of his body.
Blows and kicks
Owuor, who recounted his ordeal from police cells and later at the hospital, said he could identify the officers who "tried to castrate me after subjecting me to torture and death threats."
Presidential guards arrested Odhiambo Owuor on Friday. He was later taken to hospital with injuries.
[PHOTOS:STAFFORD ONDEGO AND COLLINS KWEYU /STANDARD]
Presidential guards seized him when he started heckling as the President addressed the crowd during Jamhuri Day celebrations at Nyayo Stadium on Friday.
He said he was expressing his concern over high food costs and the passing of the controversial Kenya Communications (Amendment) Bill 2008.
After being overpowered by about a dozen agents, he claims he was hurled into an underground dungeon within the stadium before being moved to a cell.
To cover their trail and stall communication with other activists, the agents crushed Owuor’s cell phone on the wall before tearing down his clothes.
He said the officers whipped and kicked him.
"Some of them said ‘we should just kill him’. They told me they could kill me and nothing would be done because of their privileged positions."
Owuor also claimed about nine officers tore down his trousers and squeezed his genitals.
He claims one of the agents tried to knock him out with a wet piece of clothes laced with a sedative. He became drowsy and was hurled into a lonely cell and taken back to Nyayo Stadium until midday, yesterday, when he was transferred to Lang’ata Police Station.
His lawyer Harun Ndubi claimed Owuor "was extensively tortured by" his tormentors and added he might require specialised treatment.
And the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHCR) accused the police of manhandling journalists and human rights activists.
"It is time the President reviewed the work of Police Commissioner Maj-General Hussein Ali. He has tarnished the President’s legacy," said Hassan Omar Hassan, KNCHR vice chairman.
He said Ali was to blame for the sustained harassment of the media and human rights activists.
Addressing a press conference yesterday in Nairobi, Hassan demanded immediate release of the MARS chairman Mwalimu Mati, his wife and journalists.
Rights abuse
He said the police were misguided by arresting peaceful demonstrators and reminded the law enforcers their cardinal responsibility was to ensure there was peace and security.
Veteran plolitician Martin Shikuku condemned the arrest of Odhiambo and journalists.
"It is a shame after 45 years of independence, innocent Kenyans are still being arrested. After years of fighting for press freedom and Kenyans demanding for their rights, what Parliament has done is oppressive."
The Kenya Muslims Youth Alliance equated the passing of the Bill in Parliament and the arrests to a declaration of a state of emergency by colonialists in 1952, which heralded the crackdown on freedom fighters.
"This day is also equal in magnitude to that in 1982 when Parliament declared Kenya a one party state thus heralding a regrettable era of political repression," the group said.
The Muslims youth alliance expressed concern the promise of good governance was being abused.
Additional reporting by Morton Saulo