The Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has dismissed an inquiry petition the Azimio One Kenya Coalition to the International Criminal Court (ICC) calling for a probe into the police excesses witnessed during the anti-government protests as political propaganda for selfish gains.
In the letter, addressed to the Hague-based court on Friday, Azimio’s legal representative in the case, Paul Mwangi called upon the ICC Prosecutor to open a file on Koome over what the coalition describes as “his express orders to police to kill and maim opposition protestors”.
However, in a rare scenario where the police boss addressed the media from his private Kamulu residence in Kenya’s history, a departure from his predecessors known to keep their residences and private life out of public glare, today, Koome issued a media briefing at his private residence in Nairobi.
The IG Koome was categorical that he will remain firm and that he will neither be cowed from administering his duty to Kenyans nor will he be intimidated by the letter.
“I thank you for the letter. I will not be intimidated by the letter; I want to tell my officers not to be intimidated by the letter. We vowed to serve our country and we don’t have another country.” Koome said.
The police boss went on to claim that the letter is just mere “propaganda” being pushed by a politician who has personal interests.
He further claimed that the letter is tribally motivated, arguing that the same happened to former head of Public Service Francis Muthaura, who was taken to ICC on accusations of fueling violence after the 2007 election.
“That letter is being incited by a certain politician. It started with Muthaura, he was taken there and now it is me. Why are they targeting Meru people? Let us stop this tribal matters.” The police boss said.
Yesterday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua came out guns brazing defending the IG reassuring him of the government’s protection, saying Azimio is only bent on intimidating him.
“They’re trying to intimidate the police Inspector General Japhet Koome. I want to assure the IG to continue doing his work.” Gachagua said.
Azimio says it took the decision to write to the ICC since Kenya is a party to the Rome Statute signed on August 11, 1999 and ratified it on March 15, 2005.
Koome urged his officers to discharge their duties without fear even as Azimio asked the court’s prosecutor to investigate the National Police Service for violations of human rights during recent demonstrations.
“I want to tell members of the National Police Service, do not be intimidated by the letter. Serve our country, the Kenyan people and foreign visitors without fear.” Koome noted.
