Former Chief Justice David Maraga has criticized the government’s decision to compensate victims of police brutality without taking criminal action against officers accused of carrying out the violations.
Speaking during an interview, Maraga said that while compensating victims and their families is an important step, true justice requires those responsible for unlawful actions to be investigated, prosecuted and held accountable in court.
He warned that failing to prosecute officers implicated in human rights abuses could weaken public confidence in the justice system and create a culture of impunity among law enforcement officers.
Maraga also emphasized that police officers are only allowed to use firearms as a last resort when their lives or the lives of others are in immediate danger, questioning whether that standard was met in the cases under review.
His remarks come amid growing concerns from victims’ families and human rights organizations over the lack of prosecutions, even as the government prepares to begin issuing financial compensation to those affected by police-related abuses during demonstrations.
