Arsenal Football Club will on Tuesday 29 January 2019 honour the late Carilton Maina at the Emirates Stadium in London during their English Premier League, home game against Cardiff.
The slain University of Leeds Engineering Student was an ardent Arsenal Supporter who severally attended home and away matches at the Emirates while he studied at the University of Leeds.
Born in Africa’s biggest slum Kibera, Carilton excelled academically, winning a scholarship to study engineering in Leeds. “Maina” adored Arsenal and attended home and away. Talented goalkeeper, TEDx presenter, role model, future leader, loved by all.
On the eve of 23 December 2018, Carilton met his death at the hands of an Administration Police Officer in Kibera under unclear circumstances. Carilton and his friends were coming from watching a football match before they were confronted by the police officer.
Carilton’s tragic death showcases how extra judicial killings are endemic in Kenya, especially in urban low-income areas. In the past 3 months, Civil Society Organizations and community justice centres have documented over 30 such cases. Statistics indicate that those who are killed are often between 16 to 27 years old.
Although the Police are yet to make any arrests, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has publicly stated that it is in the process of investigating the matter. The National Police Service has also stated that it will abide by the recommendations made by IPOA.
Amnesty International Kenya continues to pressure duty bearers to get to the bottom of the matter to ensure justice is served for Carilton and countless of other Kenyan youth killed in the same manner.
We emphasise on the need for greater individual and command responsibility; deeper and meaningful community policing; and, closer oversight by IPOA and other bodies such as parliament and KNCHR.
The Government and parliament should ensure that criminal justice actors are well equipped to deal with crime within the law. Police officers must be adequately trained and equipped to interact with those who they swore to protect.
The Attorney General on his part should expedite the operationalisation of the Coroners Service Act, which was passed in 2017 to ensure that suspicious deaths, such as Carilton’s are properly investigated and prosecuted to enhance police accountability.