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{
    "id": 1122026,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1122026/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 159,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Cheruiyot",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13165,
        "legal_name": "Aaron Kipkirui Cheruiyot",
        "slug": "aaron-cheruiyot"
    },
    "content": "This is what he told me: ‘This is my job but I also have a family that I have to take care of.’ He explained to me the reason as to why his colleagues do those kind of things. He told me that those people bribe their way out. He said that the problem could either be how the Kenyan judicial system works, our laws or gaps that exist therein. He said that they at times present suspects who are dangerous to the society with very strong just to find out that those people are out on bail. A good example is the case of the five men that our country is looking for right now. This matter is alive in our Country. I believe that we are all aware that there are five terror suspects who are out at large. Imagine the agony of the police officers who were handling that particular case. They have families and they have to fear. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recently said that he fears for his life because of the cases that he has approved against terror suspects. He said that he does not get sufficient protection. I agree with the measures that have been proposed by this Committee a hundred per cent. However, it solves half of our problems. The measures are good because they remind our officers that they took a vow to protect life. It also reminds them that they must ensure that all suspects; terror or fraud suspects, have their rights as well. As a country, we must strive to be governed by the rule of law. Their recommendation number three proposes amendment of various protocols. One of the things that they want amended under the National Coroners Service Act is that the mandate of the National Coroners Service be independently investigated. They also stated that it should determine the cost of reported unnatural deaths in the country. They also stated that it needs to provide for independent forensic and medical services. I understand what they are saying at that point. We know the issues. There was one incident I think two or three years ago, about a suspect in Kilimani, where somebody died and some doctor gave a report that it was a natural cause of death. You wonder because this was somebody who by the time of arrest was fully okay and were not battling any reported illness. Since people are able to quickly find their way out and short circuit the system, they are able to give these particular results. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I agree with each of the three propositions. The fourth one of course, is our call to the international institutions offering training. This is one of the solutions now that is moving on to part of what I was proposing as the second half of the solution. Part of the things we need to engage in, is not only solve it on the terror suspect side, but sort it also in terms of what we do with the police officers. I have seen a very good recommendation on training for many of these officers of ours. Recommendation four proposes an enhanced training of these law enforcement officers on how to respect human rights. It will also enable them to have a fair, just and human treatment of persons, particularly regarding their duties regarding arrest and many of these things. Even an arrested person has rights which include the manner in which you arrest them. They have the right to be informed why they are being arrested and to be transported into safe custody in a humane way. It should not be in all those old tactics that we used to read about of people being bundled into boots and squeezed. These are some of the quick wins that we can enjoy."
}