The Coast Civil Society Network for Human Rights (CCSNHR) has condemned the recent happenings during the anti-government demonstrations that led to loss of lives and destruction of properties in Kibera slums in Nairobi on Monday.

Addressing the media in Mombasa on Wednesday, the group has called on the Inspector General of police and the directorate of criminal investigations to take responsibility over what happened.

The group said that they have observed with utmost concern the conduct of various leaders in the country since the emergence of the demonstrations.

“We register our shock and concern at the level of aggressiveness and cruel tone and actions being exposed to the republic. The actions of various leaders violate the provisions of the Constitution and statutes of the Republic of Kenya,” said Munira Ali of Haki Yetu organization.

She said that they condemn the use of excessive force by the police to silence demonstrators and at the same time condemned the destruction of private property by groups of people hiding under the guise of the right to protest under article 37 of the constitution.

“We condemn the attacks on journalists and media freedom in the process of the demonstrations. We also condemn in the strangest terms, foul language intended to fan further violence and insensitive to the current context,” she said.

 The group now wants elements that have broken the law in the course of the protests be held responsible including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations they alleged mislead the public and posted false images to delude the public.

The group also called on the country’s leadership including the President, his deputy, the Minister for Interior and Coordination of National Government, the Inspector General of Police and the opposition leadership to respect, abide by and uphold the rule of law.

“Their pronouncements must be sensitive to current happenings. All communications from the state should be constant and consistent to the law, and done by the respective office holders,” she said.

The group further called upon the oversight institutions especially the KNCHR, IPOA, and NCIC to consistently take up their place in the discourse and monitor the role of the players in abiding with the constitution in line with their mandates.

They also called on the international community to intervene immediately and not wait for the current incidences to slide the country to anarchy and go the Rwanda way.

The group chairman Zedekiah Adika called on the inspector general of police and the director of criminal investigations to resign and take responsibility over what happened on Monday.

Adika accused the IG of operating outside the law and accused the DCI for inciting the public by publishing fake photos.

Adika said that Article 37 of the constitution allows people to demonstrate saying that it is the responsibility of the police under article 29 to ensure that protestors as protected and any property and people along their way too.

“The inspector general of police must take responsibility over what happened on Monday. The DCI also cannot go out of his way and publish photos to incite the public. They must leave the offices,” said Adika.

He called on the two political divides to take responsibility over what is happening in the country to ensure peace prevails.

 “We call upon the likes of Kimani Ichungwa to restrain themselves and speak knowing the sensitivity of this matter. His arrogance is too much,” said Adika.

Muhuri rapid response officer Francis Auma called for dialogue as he urged politicians to refrain from inciting the public.

Auma reiterated that any politician found to incite Kenyans must face the wrath of the law.

“We are documenting all that is happening and at the end somebody must be held responsible. We are also calling on the international community to intervene, if people have to be taken to International Criminal Court, so be it,” said Auma.