How activists ‘forced’ police to release their colleague after scuttled demos
Relentless pressure by human rights activists late into Thursday night compelled the police to release an activist who had been detained at the Central Police Station.
The activist, Beatrice Waithera Maina, was among protesters who were nabbed on Thursday afternoon after the police foiled an anti-graft protest at Uhuru Park Grounds.
The “Red Movement” activists, who had converged at Uhuru Park, were dispersed by anti-riot police contingent who lobbed teargas canisters at them.
It was during the melee that Ms Waithera was arrested and taken to the Central Police Station.
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The human right defenders, led by Boniface Mwangi, then went to the station seeking her release but their plea fell on deaf ears.
But as darkness fall, the activists increased in number and occupied Central Police Station.
Around 12.50am Ms Waithera walked through the doors of the police station after being released on bail.
“We promised we shall not go home until @BettieWaShiro is free!She is FREE! Thank you tweeps so much for all your support to #FreeBetty. Special thanks to Amnesty’s @irunguhoughton Kamanda @HakiKNCHR,DK @nchrdkenya. @NPSOfficial_KE @DCI_Kenya for finally obeying her right to bail,” Mwangi tweeted soon after Ms Waithera was released.
Thank you video from @BettieWaShiro after she was released at 12:50am. Thank you to everyone who stood in solidarity with her. #FreeBetty #BeyondZeroCorruption #TeamCourage pic.twitter.com/mVe9cZ3VLt
— Boniface Mwangi (@bonifacemwangi) April 30, 2019
The demonstration came in the wake of massive scandals being investigated in the country.