Kenyatta apologies for police brutality

Kenya’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta, has apologised to the public, as scenes of police brutality are played out across the country.

Reports have emerged with alarming frequency over heavy-handed tactics employed by the security forces while enforcing the nationwide lockdown.

In a broadcast shared by Citizen TV, the president said, “I want to apologise to all Kenyans, maybe for some excesses which were conducted or happened.

“I want to assure you, that if we work together, if we all understand that this problem needs all of us, and we all pull in the same direction, we will overcome”.

The government introduced the strict curfew between the hours of 19.00 and 05.00 each night, in order to combat the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.

It was however, controversially enforced, as police were seen firing live rounds, whipping pedestrians and firing tear gas at commuters.

At least two people have been killed by the police since the curfew came into force, including a 13-year old boy, who was hit by a stray bullet as he played on the balcony of his home.

Kenya has so far confirmed 59 positive cases of the virus.

Photo: Brian Inganga/AP