Mandere Onyinkwa reports that the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has strongly denounced the use of teargas against congregants at St. Peter’s ACK Church in Wairima, Othaya, Nyeri County.
The commission characterized the event as “a day of shame” and a serious breach of constitutional rights.
Reports indicate that law enforcement personnelincluding some allegedly wearing hoods in contravention of court directivesreleased teargas within the church premises during a tranquil Sunday service where children, senior citizens, and other members of the congregation were present.
The KNCHR stated that the application of force was “clearly excessive, disproportionate, and indiscriminate,” representing a flagrant disrespect for the sacred nature of worship.
“Employing teargas inside a church or any worship setting constitutes an imbalanced and reckless action that cannot be justified in any situation,” the Commission emphasized.
The commission observed that the occurrence infringed upon several fundamental rights, such as freedom of belief and religion, freedom of assembly, and the right to personal security.
The organization called for prompt inquiries by the Internal Affairs Unit of the National Police Service and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), along with a formal apology from the Ministry of Interior.
Chairperson Claris Ogangah reaffirmed the commission’s dedication to justice, stating: “KNCHR condemns this assault with the utmost severity and calls for immediate and resolute measures to ensure accountability and prevent recurrence.”
The commission encouraged Kenyan citizens to persist in documenting human rights violations via its official reporting platforms while it tracks the investigations and judicial processes.