Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei and junior commanders are on the spotlight after the Inspector General (IG) of Police Japhet Koome ordered stern action taken against police officers who violently dispersed peaceful crowd that had gathered yesterday to celebrate Raila Odinga’s 79th birthday within the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).
In a terse statement, Koome said the officers action was unwarranted since the gathering was peaceful and indicated that the officers portrayed political partisanship despite the service being apolitical.
In IG emphasised that the actions were “unwarranted violent dispersion” which must be punished.
He reaffirmed the National Police Service’s commitment to operating within the laws governing its operations and serving all Kenyans equally.
“The National Police Service reiterates its commitment to remaining politically neutral in the execution of its mandate of protecting life and property.” Koome said.
The action comes in response to public outcry over the dispersal of the crowd celebrating Odinga’s 79th birthday.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the police officers’ actions as a “shameful act” driven by the fear of the Kenya Kwanza regime. He vowed that no amount of intimidation or police brutality would stop them from celebrating Raila Odinga.
Narc Kenya party leader Martha Karua criticized the police’s actions as “absolute madness” under President William Ruto’s administration, questioning how long such actions would be tolerated.