Campaign for Kenyan political prisoners

Campaign for Kenyan political prisoners

By Norm Dixon

A spokesperson for the Release Political Prisoners Pressure Group (RPP), Njoroge Murimi, in an appeal sent to Green Left Weekly, has called on the international community to withhold aid to the brutal Kenyan regime and for the formation of an international team to investigate human rights violations and the conditions of political prisoners.

The ruling Kenya African National Union continues to lock up its political opponents and restrict their political and human rights under a range of laws passed since independence in 1963. Thousands of Kenyans are imprisoned. They include people jailed in 1982 after an alleged coup attempt, members of the radical Mwakenya group arrested in 1986, members of the Kenya Patriotic Front jailed in 1988 and advocates of multiparty democracy and members of opposition parties arrested and charged after 1990.

Political prisoners are subjected to beatings, denial of medical attention, lack of food and overcrowding.

In December KANU relented under the pressure of a growing democracy movement and repealed the section of the constitution that outlaws other political parties. RPP argues that all those imprisoned earlier for demanding democratic reform should now be released.

In support of this demand, a mothers' hunger strike was launched on February 28. The mothers, relatives and friends of political prisoners delivered a petition demanding their release to the attorney general. Fourteen women then began their hunger strike in Uhuru Park in Nairobi to await the government's response.

On the fourth day, a peaceful demonstration in solidarity with the women was attacked by heavily armed police. Scores were injured. The following day all the women were detained, as were their supporters in the RPP who were present. Anti-government riots erupted in Nairobi but were put down violently by police.

Following their release, the women regrouped at the All Saints Cathedral. On March 7, a group of women began another hunger strike in Mombasa. They too were detained but released after two days.

On March 2, 12 political prisoners began a hunger strike. They have been prevented from seeing doctors of their own choice, and the RPP fears for their lives.

The Release Political Prisoners Pressure Group can be contacted by writing to PO Box 19127, Nairobi, Kenya.

From GLW issue 51