Kenya: Photos of police violence spark international outrage

FILE - In this Monday, May 16, 2016 file photo, a Kenyan riot policeman repeatedly kicks a protester as he lies in the street after falling down while trying to flee from them, during a protest in downtown Nairobi, Kenya. In an incident that has stirred anger and condemnation across Kenya, a policeman is seen beating and kicking one protester who had fallen on a road curb, while the U.S. and human rights activists have condemned violence by Kenyan police at the opposition protest for election reforms. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File) FILE - In this Monday, May 16, 2016 file photo, a Kenyan riot policeman repeatedly kicks a protester as he lies in the street after falling down while trying to flee from them, during a protest in downtown Nairobi, Kenya. In an incident that has stirred anger and condemnation across Kenya, a policeman is seen beating and kicking one protester who had fallen on a road curb, while the U.S. and human rights activists have condemned violence by Kenyan police at the opposition protest for election reforms. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis, File)

By Associated Press May 17, 2016 3 min read

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) – Widely viewed pictures and video of a protester being kicked by Kenyan riot police as he lay on the ground have caused a stir in this East Africa country, prompting debate on police brutality and civil rights.

The U.S. and human rights activists are condemning the violence displayed by Kenyan police who on Monday beat up opposition supporters protesting for election reforms ahead of polls next year.

In one incident that has stirred anger and condemnation across Kenya, a policeman is seen beating and kicking one protester who had fallen on a road curb in the chaotic scenes after police fired tear gas to disperse a crowd in the capital, Nairobi.

The U.S. “deplores the excessive use of force by the Kenyan security services and the violence around the demonstrations” near the offices of Kenya’s electoral commission.

“We urge the security services to exercise restraint during demonstrations and to protect the rights of free speech, assembly and political participation guaranteed by the Kenyan constitution,” said the statement attributed to Robert F. Godec, U.S. ambassador to Kenya.