NAIROBI, Kenya — The Kenyan government is being sued for police brutality in the violence following the 2007 election.

The lawsuit comes as Kenya prepares for a new election on March 4 amid warnings from international human rights groups that the police force is not ready to prevent electoral violence while refraining from human rights violations.

The families of seven people shot dead five years ago and eight wounded survivors this week filed papers to sue the Kenyan government claiming police fired at them during a dispute over who won Kenya's 2007 presidential election.

Five human rights groups are also part of the suit against the government.

National Police Service Inspector General David Kimaiyo said the police are ready to tackle any challenges presented by the election.