Talks Continue "Shoot To Kill Order Given"

Submitted by dmwebmaster on Feb 24,2008

 

31 January 2008 The Standard (Kenyan newspaper)

The Standard learned that the items top the agenda at the Annan talks between President Kibaki and Raila Odinga include immediate action to stop violence and restore fundamental rights and liberties, measures to be taken to address the unfolding humanitarian crisis and promotion of reconciliation and healing as well as discussions on the political crisis would include power sharing, constitutional review and reform of the Electoral Commission of Kenya (ECK). With a political settlement for the disputed presidential election still far off and with a breakdown of law and order threatening the nation, police issued a shoot-to-kill order.

The shoot-to-kill order outlined the categories of law-breakers the police will target. "There are four categories of people who will face tough police action: 

  •     Those looting property
  •     Burning houses
  •     Carrying offensive weapons
  •     Barricading roads

"We have orders to shoot to kill these categories of people if they are caught in the act." Commissioner of Police, Maj-Gen Hussein Ali, said police were now under instructions to "enforce the full force of the law". "Any person found engaging in these crimes (as categorised above) must be prepared to face the full force of the law. Police will take robust action at all times to protect the lives and property of Kenyans in accordance with the law

The shoot-to-kill order followed an announcement by President Kibaki that officers would "firmly" deal with criminals who destroy property or breach the peace. Earlier, Raila had expressed concern over what he described as an shoot-to-kill order being "applied selectively".

The crisis that has claimed more than 800 lives and displaced at least 500,000 people.

On Tuesday, military helicopters swooped on marauding gangs in Naivasha, which witnessed perhaps the worst flare after Nakuru at the weekend.

The order was conveyed to all police commanders a day after Annan launched crisis talks between President Kibaki and Raila.

The main highway to western Kenya remained unsafe, with armed gangs taking over sections of it. Internal Security minister, Prof George Saitoti, gave an assurance that police would intensify highway patrols and provide armed escort to convoys heading to Uganda.