On 7th August 2023, Fatuma Yusuf ,a human rights defender, who is also a person living with disabilities was assaulted by the Officer Commanding Station of Wajir East Police Station. The officer reportedly attacked and dragged Fatuma on the ground.
Prior to this incident, a group of HRDs had submitted a notification to the OCS informing him of a planned women empowerment gathering which he did not respond to. Upon the failure of response, Fatuma, who represented the WHRDs sought audience with the OCS regarding the gathering. She was met with hostility upon arrival at the police station.
The OCS allegedly denied receiving any notification and claimed that WHRDs failed to pay a fee of KES. 7000. When asked what the fee was for, the OCS pushed Fatuma to the ground and commanded the officers to kick her out of the station.
Civil society organisations condemned this act and reiterated that seeking audience with duty bearers does not warrant physical assault on citizens.