Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome have criticised police oversight agencies for accusing police of extrajudicial killings and excessive force while executing their mandate but keep silent when the same officers are killed in the line of duty.
Speaking during the fourth commemoration service of the fallen officers from the National Police Service and the Kenya Prisons services at the Administration Police Training College (APTC) Embakasi Campus, the CS expressed anger by the lack of empathy by lobbies and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) whenever an officer is killed or injured in the line of duty.
“Two months ago, we lost 8 officers and a chief in one of the locations in Turkana East. Eight officers were gunned down by criminals. I did not hear the kind of voices I usually hear when a police officer misuses a firearm which is a very rare occurrence,” Kindiki said.
“It is as if police officers are to wait for their deaths. Let police use the guns to defend the public, public property and themselves,” he added.
Kindiki said that he is aware that the officers have many problems including mental health issues, poor pay and harsh working conditions.
He added that the government would fully implement the recommendations of the taskforce on police officers’ welfare set up by President William Ruto.
IG Koome on the other hand, emphasised that the police will not back down in its attempts to crack down on criminal elements trying to terrorize civilians, urging security officers around the country to use their service weapons in accordance with the law and without fear or intimidation from any party.
He pointed out an incident at Mombasa Road where he said police transporting money were shot at using arrows saying they had a right to defend themselves.
“We will not be intimidated or cowed, we are going to discharge our mandate as stipulated in the constitution of this country,” Koome stated.
He said the fallen officers acted heroically and courageously paying the ultimate price while ensuring the country remained safe.
