Protesters burn police station over killings

PIC:  A Kenyan police officer rumages through strewn documents on Wednesday near the still smouldering police post in Kenya's eastern Machakos county. (AFP)

Hundreds of protesters on Wednesday set fire to a police station where three men including a rights lawyer were held after being abducted and eventually killed.

The bodies of lawyer Willie Kimani -- who had criticised police abuse -- as well as his client Josephat Mwenda and driver Joseph Muiruri were found Friday wrapped in sacks and dumped in a river.

They had disappeared on June 23. Four police officers who had been based at the station are in custody, and the post had been cordoned off as a crime scene.

Hundreds of Kenyan lawyers marched down a street in Nairobi on Wednesday to protest against the extrajudicial killings of the three men including a rights lawyer by Kenyan police. (AFP)

"This should now serve as a monument in remembrance of the deceased people," said protester Andrew Musyoki as flames destroyed part of the police post outside the capital Nairobi.

When authorities found his body, Kimani's wrists were bound with rope, three of his fingers had been chopped off and his eyes appeared to have been gouged out.

Kenya's police force has been accused in the past of running hit squads targeting those -- including human rights activists and lawyers -- investigating allegations of police rights abuses.

Deputy police chief Geoffrey Omoding warned that officers would arrest those who had set fire to the police station , pointing out that they were "destroying evidence".

 
A Kenyan and administration police flags are seen fluttering through the window of the burnt out police post. (AFP)