Abdihakim Shurie, Garissa county Muhuri coordinator
SECURITY officers in Garissa have been urged to always uphold human rights in their work.
County commissioner Mohamed Mwabudzo said that
by and large security officers working in the area have remained professional.
Their
role is to enforce the law and protect human rights as
envisioned in the constitution.
He spoke at a Garissa hotel when he
opened a one-day training on human rights for law enforcement
officers conducted by Muhuri and funded by KIOS.
Mwabudzo said while there will always be isolated
cases of officers going overboard while performing their duties, that should
not be construed to mean that the security apparatus is not determined to
uphold human rights.
Among the most common human rights
violations in the region are extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances,
arbitrary arrests and detention, torture, and inhumane treatment.
“We are human beings and are subject to little
failings. But largely, we have done a commendable job of keeping this country
secure for both lives and property. I really want to thank our officers,” he
said.
He said that excessive force, unlawful detention,
harassment, or discrimination have no place in the security service.
The actions not only violate the rights of
individuals but also erode the public’s trust in law enforcement, which
is essential for effective policing.
“Let us recommit today to uphold the highest standards
of integrity, fairness, and humanity in all that we do. As police officers, you
are not only the guardians of security but also the custodians of justice and
human dignity,” he said.
“Remember, every citizen you encounter is someone’s
child, someone’s parent, someone’s friend. Let us serve them with justice,
compassion and honour.”
Mwabudzo said that while the county faces unique challenges
from border security threats to communal tensions and youth unemployment, they
should not be used as a reason to violate human rights.
He urged all officers to seek continuous training on
human rights, ethics, and conflict-sensitive policing, noting that knowledge is
power, and it protects not only the public but also the officers.
He further called on the officers to continue working closely
with local communities, elders, religious leaders, and civil society
organisations, saying enhanced partnership plays a critical
role in security.
Abdihakim Shurie, Garissa county MUHURI coordinator, reiterated
the importance of the training saying that before criticising the officers, it
was vital to train them on human
rights.
“This is an important training for the officers because
it will help them know what they are supposed to do and what they are not
supposed to do as far as human rights are concerned, ”he said.
He commended the security apparatus in the area, saying
that they have remained professional while performing their
duties.
“As a human rights defender working here, I want to
commend the officers working in this part of the country for remaining
professional as you go about doing your work. We have had a good relationship
with the law enforcers. That is why we use such opportunities to bring on board
the ones who have gone astray and want to taint the good image of the service."
