NAIROBI, Kenya, May 10 – Rights groups in Kenya are questioning whether a taskforce set up by the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP, to review criminal cases stemming from post-election violence in 2007 and 2008 will deliver justice.
They are concerned that the multi-agency taskforce could serve as a smokescreen for continuing inaction. Even if they are proved wrong, it is unclear whether the force will be able to ensure allegations against Kenyan police are properly dealt with.
Christine Alai of the International Centre for Transitional Justice, ICTJ, in Nairobi warned that the taskforce must not conduct substandard investigations into the actions of police, or omit important cases.
“It is obvious something has to be done with police… to ensure we can get accountability and that cases are not thrown out on technicalities. The process should not be a sham due to shoddy investigations. Victims and Kenyans are tired of sham processes,” Alai warned, referring to previous investigations into the shootings in Kisumu.