The nine bodies with “visible marks of torture” were found in an abandoned quarry near a police station.
Kenya’s police agency said it is investigating whether there was any police involvement after the discovery of nine mutilated bodies in an abandoned quarry in Mukuru, a collection of slums south of Nairobi.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said at least “nine deceased people” were abandoned less than 100 meters from the Kware police station, south of the Kenyan capital.
“Seven deceased persons are believed to be female, while two are believed to be male,” it said on Friday. “The bodies, wrapped in bags and tied by nylon ropes, showed visible marks of torture and mutilation,” according to the statement.
Kenyan police have come under intense scrutiny after dozens of people were killed during anti-government demonstrations last month, with rights groups accusing officers of using excessive force.
Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome resigned over the crackdown and killings, the presidency announced on Friday.
IPOA statement on the discovery of deceased persons in Nairobi. ^DD pic.twitter.com/XHJoV629Qr
-IPOA (@IPOA_KE) July 12, 2024
However, IPOA stated that due to the location of the dump site and “widespread allegations of police involvement in illegal detentions, [and] kidnappings,” the agency was conducting preliminary investigations to determine whether there was any police involvement.
It also called on police to carry out “immediate and expedited forensic investigations” to identify the bodies.
Miriam Nyamuita, an activist at the Mukuru Community Justice Center, told Reuters news agency that most of the bodies found were decomposed, except one that was “fresh”.
“We don’t know if we can relate this to protests or feminicide, since the majority are women,” he added.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission, a non-governmental organization, also called for a “comprehensive investigation” to determine the cause of the deaths and those responsible.
“Perpetrators must be held accountable,” it said in X, and the government “must take responsibility for this heinous crime.”
The demonstrations began over the government’s proposed tax increase in a new financial bill. While President William Ruto has canceled tax increases, protesters are demanding that he resign and that the police be held accountable for excessive violence against them.
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
