Nairobi — A Government human rights watchdog has threatened to form tribunals to question senior police officers on claims of human rights abuse.

Kenya National Commission on Human Rights chairman Maina Kiai made the proposal yesterday based on, among other reports, that Kenyans had been sent to Somalia on terrorism accusations.

Seventy six terror suspects, including foreigners, were also being detained in various city police stations without being charged in court, he added.

According to the commission, other violations being committed by the police include arbitrary arrests, suspects being held incommunicado, children being confined in cells with their parents and refugees being turned away at borders.

"The actions have caused the commission to suspect that the Government was applying the controversial anti-terrorism Bill. It has never been passed into law and was shelved because it contained controversial provisions that would have negatively impacted on the fundamental rights of Kenyans."

Among other demands, Mr Kiai said police should allow KNCHR officials into police cells and other places where the suspects are being detained.