The Kenyan government should immediately open an investigation into the recent beating and sexual assault of civil society activists by police, the International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ) said Tuesday.

"We join Kenyan human rights leaders in strongly condemning the police attacks on civil society activists as they prepared to hold a peaceful rally," said Suliman Baldo, Director of ICTJ's Africa Program. "The government must immediately investigate the attacks, as well as end the growing trend of police brutality and intimidation against Kenyan civil society."

On August 4, 2008, the 400 member organizations of Kenya's National Civil Society Congress demanded action from Kenyan president Mwai Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga in an open letter condemning "documented and verified acts of police terror, intimidation, violence and impunity."

In one such incident on July 8, 2008, Kenyan police stormed into a Nairobi hotel where a group of civil rights activists were planning a peaceful anti-corruption rally. Police beat seven of the activists, and one officer also sexually assaulted Anne Njogu, Executive Director of the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness in Nairobi.

Ms. Njogu and her colleagues were taken to a police station in Gigiri, where police again attacked the activists, beating them with police batons and kicking them.

"The sexual assault against Ms. Njogu is part of an appalling wave of violence against women in Kenya," said Debra Schultz, Acting Director of ICTJ's Gender and Transitional Justice Program. "The Kenyan government must take steps to end impunity for gender-based crimes wherever they are committed."

Kenyan Civil Society calls on the global progressive community to join its struggle against police brutality. See details in statement below, issued by the International Center for Transitional Justice.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

1) Send a text message TODAY, to Kenya's President and Prime Minister. Use the one below, or craft your own.

"Mr. Kibaki / Mr. Odinga - we hold u accountable 4 police violence n sexual assault against Ann Njogu n other civil society activists. Act NOW 2 uphold human rights 4 all Kenyans!"

To President Mwai Kibaki (via his spokesperson, Alfred Mutua):
Cellphone number + 254 721 240 443

To Prime Minister Raila Odinga
Cellphone + 254 733 620 736

2) Send an email to Prime Minister Raila Odinga
[email][email protected]

No email contact is available for President Mwai Kibaki or his office.

Suggested Message:

Forward the press statement from ICTJ below, with the opening line:

"Mr Odinga, I urge you to act immediately and decisively to address police violence and sexual assault on Kenyan civil society activists. Please see the statement below from the International Center for Transitional Justice."

Signed: Name, Organization / Affiliation (if any), City, Country

3) If you are a Kenyan repeat steps 1) and 2) with your own MP and other parliamentarians. Look up their contact details on the link below:
http://shailja.com/news/newsletterblog/2008/04/talk- to-kenyan-mps-and-ministers.html

4) If you live outside Kenya, repeat steps 1) and 2), directing the texts and emails to the Kenyan Ambassador or High Commissioner in your country. Look up their contact details on the link below.
http://www.mfa.go.ke/mfacms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17&Itemid=29

5) If you are a foreign national living in Kenya, repeat steps 1) and 2) with the Ambassador or High Commissioner of your country in Kenya. Look up their contact details on the link below:
http://www.mfa.go.ke/mfacms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=37&Itemid=66