Since Prof Philip Alston, the UN Special Rapporteur on extra-judicial, summary and arbitrary executions released his report in February, the outlawed Mungiki sect has been emboldened and become active in most parts of Central, Nairobi and Rift Valley provinces.
Police say Mungiki have become bolder and stronger. Police Spokesman Eric Kiraithe said their analysis had shown that the release of the Alston report made the followers think they were above the law and can continue to terrorise Kenyans. Today, Mungiki gangs killed more than 25 Kenyans.
"You can even see them calling for a protest against the Government since the report was made public. These are criminals who want to govern Kenyans," said Mr Kiraithe, yesterday.
Sufficient proof
In his report, Alston noted there exists a police death squad that was particularly formed to fight the Mungiki sect and cited a report compiled by Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, saying over 500 youths were killed for being members of the movement. A police unit called Kwe Kwe Squad was formed in 2006 to fight the sect following macabre beheadings. Prof Alston said confessions by a former police officer that he and his colleagues in the squad participated in the killing of 58 suspects were sufficient proof of the same. Before the UN official had issued the report, Mungiki activities were unheard of in most areas, as the squad suppressed them.
