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Kenya police killings condemned Kenya police killings condemned
(20 minutes later)
Police in Kenya have been criticized for execution-style killings during a crackdown on the outlawed Mungiki sect last week in a slum in the capital.Police in Kenya have been criticized for execution-style killings during a crackdown on the outlawed Mungiki sect last week in a slum in the capital.
Amnesty International has called for an independent inquiry into the police operation in Nairobi's Mathare slum.Amnesty International has called for an independent inquiry into the police operation in Nairobi's Mathare slum.
At least 30 people were killed during a security operation, hunting for members of the sect.At least 30 people were killed during a security operation, hunting for members of the sect.
The Mungiki sect has been linked to a string of gruesome beheadings and attacks on police.The Mungiki sect has been linked to a string of gruesome beheadings and attacks on police.
A statement by Amnesty International noted that the police operation came days after Security Minister John Michuki vowed to wipe out the sect.A statement by Amnesty International noted that the police operation came days after Security Minister John Michuki vowed to wipe out the sect.
AFRICA HAVE YOUR SAY Yes Mungiki should be finished, but care should be taken to ensure that innocent Kenyans do not get killed Mwangi, Coventry, UK Send us your comments
"Amnesty International is concerned that the minister's remarks may have been construed as an order to the Kenyan police to shoot to kill any suspected members of the Mungiki group," says the statement."Amnesty International is concerned that the minister's remarks may have been construed as an order to the Kenyan police to shoot to kill any suspected members of the Mungiki group," says the statement.
Amnesty also warned against the extrajudicial execution of criminal suspects and called for the punishment of those responsible for last week's killings.Amnesty also warned against the extrajudicial execution of criminal suspects and called for the punishment of those responsible for last week's killings.
But the police have defended their operations against the banned sect, amid accusations they used excessive force.But the police have defended their operations against the banned sect, amid accusations they used excessive force.
Last week, police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said the police had to use force after officers came under fire in the Mathare slum.Last week, police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said the police had to use force after officers came under fire in the Mathare slum.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has also denounced the crackdown, terming it a "brutal and arbitrary response".The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has also denounced the crackdown, terming it a "brutal and arbitrary response".
"Stop arbitrary killings of Mungiki suspects by the police and concentrate on intelligence gathering, arrests and prosecution," says the statement. War declaration "Stop arbitrary killings of Mungiki suspects by the police and concentrate on intelligence gathering, arrests and prosecution," says the statement.
War declaration
Following the latest crackdown, an e-mail purported to be from the Mungiki sect and made available to the BBC, declares war on security forces and leaders who are supporting the crackdown.Following the latest crackdown, an e-mail purported to be from the Mungiki sect and made available to the BBC, declares war on security forces and leaders who are supporting the crackdown.
"Kenyans must know, we have never killed indiscriminately, the ones killed have been previously warned. Now the government has changed the rules of engagement."Kenyans must know, we have never killed indiscriminately, the ones killed have been previously warned. Now the government has changed the rules of engagement.
"You are fighting us as animals and we will become animals," the e-mail reads."You are fighting us as animals and we will become animals," the e-mail reads.
The Mungiki are thought to be militants from Kenya's biggest ethnic group, the Kikuyu.The Mungiki are thought to be militants from Kenya's biggest ethnic group, the Kikuyu.
Some commentators have linked them to politicians wanting to cause unrest and fear ahead of December elections.Some commentators have linked them to politicians wanting to cause unrest and fear ahead of December elections.