The Kenya Human Rights Commission has filed a lawsuit against Bamburi Cement on behalf of 11 victims in Kwale County, alleging dog attacks, assault, and other human rights breaches by the company’s security personnel.
The dispute concerns a vast land owned by Bamburi Cement in Denyenye Township, where villagers go fishing in the Indian Ocean and collecting firewood in a nearby forest.
According to KHRC, the people have been accused of trespassing on the company’s site, where it plans to build a clinker processing factory.
According to KHRC data, on different occasions over the past five years, the victims have been brutally attacked, unlawfully detained and physically assaulted by private security guards and General Service Unit (GSU) officers while traversing through the property to access the beach or collect firewood.
KHRC says the 11 victims are men aged between 24 and 60.
Furthermore, KHRC claims that after being arrested, the victims were not brought to the local police station, charged with any crimes, or given emergency medical attention.
