Kenyan artist, Willy Paul, was arrested on March 3rd, 2024 at his residence in Syokimau, Kenya, following reports that he had hit a person with his car and fled the scene.
Before his arrest, Willy Paul took to his Instagram, stating: “I have been informed that police officers are outside my home in Syotani Villas, waiting to arrest me. They claim I hit someone with my car and ran away, they want to kill me!!! Something similar happened last year. If anything happens to me, know that it was people dressed in police uniforms who are currently outside my house!!!”
Willy Paul was subsequently taken to the Syokimau police station for further investigation.
Witnesses allege that Willy Paul struck the person with his car and then left the area. The injured individual was taken to the hospital for treatment.
The investigation into this incident is ongoing.
Willy Paul’s Arrest Raises Questions About Police Brutality in Kenya
The arrest of Willy Paul has raised questions about police brutality in Kenya. In his Instagram post, Willy Paul claimed that the police officers who were waiting for him at his house wanted to kill him.
This is not the first time that Willy Paul has been accused of hit-and-run. In 2023, he was accused of hitting a boda boda rider and running away. However, he was later cleared of the charges.
The incident has sparked outrage on social media, with many Kenyans calling for an investigation into police brutality.
Willy Paul’s Arrest Highlights the Need for Police Reform in Kenya
The arrest of Willy Paul highlights the need for police reform in Kenya. The police have been accused of numerous human rights abuses, including extrajudicial killings, torture, and arbitrary arrests.
In 2021, the Kenyan government established the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate and prosecute police officers who are accused of misconduct. However, IPOA has been criticized for being ineffective.
The arrest of Willy Paul is a reminder that the police in Kenya still have a long way to go in terms of respecting human rights.
