Japheth Koome, the inspector general of police, has justified how police personnel behaved during the anti-government demonstrations protesting about the high cost of living.
The IG charged that the opposition conspired with morgue staff to hire corpses in order to damage the “good reputation of the National Police Service” during the demonstrations.
Following accusations that police had fired live ammunition at protestors to disperse them, Koome said that his officers had not contributed to the violence that had been witnessed throughout the demonstrations.
On Tuesday, 8 August, Koome addressed the media at the Kiganjo Police College and claimed that the accusations were false and intended to harm the reputation of the institution.
“It is quite regrettable to see members of the community visiting morgues, hiring corpses, and calling the media to claim that these persons (the corpses) were slain by police. How much lower could some of our leaders go?” posed Koome.
He continued by saying that despite these allegations, the police will continue to uphold the law and order without fear or favor.
He declared that despite threats to bring the service before the International Criminal Court for violating human rights during the protests, they will not be intimidated.
This comes after a group of Azimio coalition MPs, including Peter Kaluma of Homa Bay Town and Otiende Amollo of Rarieda, vowed to file a lawsuit against Koome at the ICC after gathering evidence on orders given to the police.
“Anyone contemplating on holding a demonstration has been forewarned by the IG that they would be confronted with equal force.” said Koome.
Koome further stated that they would not tolerate attacks on their personnel or police stations, as was seen. One police officer was killed, 305 people were hurt, nine police stations were damaged, and 158 automobiles were totaled during the protests.
He cautioned the young people to exercise caution so as “not to be deceived by politicians, these are people who are selfish.”
He urged Kenyans to maintain their composure so that peace could reign as Kenya Kwanza and the Azimio alliance held bipartisan negotiations.
Koome praised the National Police Service and noted that they have been performing their duties appropriately. “What they have accomplished recently is admirable. They’ve been working hard, so I wish I had medals to give to everyone.”
Amnesty International and the Law Society of Kenya report that 24 people died during the anti-government demonstrations in the Western and Nyanza regions.
According to the lobbying organizations’ claim, 41 persons were hurt. Over 30 individuals were reported dead across the nation, according to human rights organizations.
