Police or goons? Questions emerge over conduct of armed plainclothes officers at anti-Finance Bill protests

Questions are emerging over the conduct of armed plainclothes police officers during Tuesday's protests against Finance Bill, 2024.

In what appears to be an escalation in the deployment of the so-called plainclothes police, tens of men without uniforms infiltrated crowds to pick out persons suspected to be heading to the anti-tax bill protests.

This as the protestors came out in opposition to contentious proposals contained in the Bill, with the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) being their orbit of operation.

They marched and chanted against a Bill they termed as punitive, calling for reforms. They had their share of a day filled with events, and a goal to petition Members of the National Assembly to reject the Finance Bill, 2024 .

The protestors were however blocked by police who pushed some of them into awaiting vehicles.

However, plainclothes police officers, who had no identifications or labels showing they are officials of the National Police Service (NPS), also came out to play.

The action is however a violation of Constitutional rights, especially on the procedure of arrest, with many of the police officers without an identity taking into custody protestors.

They, in some instances, used excessive force to break up lawful protests without notification, identifying themselves, and issuing warnings to the protestors.

It is a matter of concern, according to human rights groups, and a violation of Constitutional rights.

The lack of clear accountability measures raising concerns about the action by the National Police Service during protests, that under the Constitution are allowed.

This even as calls for transparency and proper oversight amplifies to stave off human rights violations and police misconduct.