New IG Japheth Koome warn criminals as he takes charge of NPS

The New Inspector General of Police (IG) Japheth Koome has taken over the helm of police leadership with a stern warning to the much emboldened criminals terrorising innocent civilians and outlined five instances law enforcers can use lethal force to protect life and property.

Koome made it plainly clear that police are justified to use their firearm when their lives or any other person’s lives are in danger, when lives and property are in imminent danger, in self defence or defence of another life.

“There are five instances in the police Act, when the police officer or any other person’s life is in danger, the police officer is justified to use the firearm. When protecting lives or property if it is eminent to danger or threat, the police can use a firearm. In the case of self defence or defence of another life, they are allowed to use a firearm.” Koome said.

He spoke today morning shortly after being sworn taking over from Hillary Mutyambai in an event presided over by the Chief Justice Martha Koome Supreme.

He added that police are justified to use their firearm in an instance when a person is charged with having committed a serious offence including murder, felony or imprisonment of more than three years and that person attempts to escape.

The IG said that if police arrest a person charged with committing felony and someone attempts to rescue them, then the police is justified to use firearm.

He added that he is ready to protect police that use their firearms under the five circumstances.

He further condemned incidences of gangs that have sprung up in various parts of the country, where they are operating with impunity.

Incidents of violent robbery have been on the rise in the past days across main towns throughout the country.

He assured Kenyans that he will take action against the gangs who steal and kill citizens at a time police are on a silent go-slow citing prosecutions relating to execution of their duties.

He warned criminal gangs that their days are numbered.

Cases of insecurity and day time muggings have been on the rise amidst a suspected “silent go slow” in the National police service which sources say could be linked to arrest and prosecution of nine officers who were members of the recently disbanded special service unit (SSU)of the Directorate of criminal investigations (DCI).

“I want to tell criminals who will be walking around with knives or guns thinking they can intimidate Kenyans that it will not happen.” Koome affirmed.

He said police will not hesitate to used their fire arm in the event their life and other Kenya’s lives are in danger.

“Our officers are very clear on when they are allowed to use a fire arm and it is in law under the nation police act, five instances when any police officer and another person life is in danger the police officer is justified to use a fire arm.” Koome added sending direct signals to criminal who have been using weapons in committing crime.

However, the IG noted of the existence of rogue officers whom he likened with “bad apples” saying that he will work with relevant bodies such as the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to tame uncouth police officers.

“We have police officers who are professionals, 98 per cent of them are good. Only about two per cent are bad. We are being assisted by Ipoa and other oversight bodies to manage the two per cent, we also have officers within the police itself to manage the two per cent.” He added

On his part, the National Police Service Commission chairperson Eliud kinuthia promised to work with the new police boss to iron out issues raised by police officers including the compensation of police officers who were injured while on duty.

“We have a mandate as the national police service commission to regulate this institution both internally and externally and we will work together to ensure the issues raised by police officers are taken care of. We have finished assessment of injured police officers and there are places we have recommended light duties. We are considerate of those who have ailment and we will take care of them until it is there time to go rest.” Kinuthia said.

Koome also affirmed to end banditry.

“We are calling them livestock lords and our strategy is to target them and we shall engage Parliament so that such people are dealt with for committing such acts, the president has pronounced himself on this and I want Kenyans to be able to go about with their lives without having to worry about their safety.” He said.

On the other hand, the Chief Justice Martha Koome called on collaboration and corporation to ensure efficiency in the criminal justice sector.

Koome was nominated by president William Ruto to succeeded Mutyambai who resigned just six months before the end of his tenure and after the president once publicly called him as “the most incompetent IG” in the world.

The office of the Inspector General was established following the promulgation of the 2010 constitution. Retired IGP David Mwole Kimaiyo was appointed as the first office holder on December 20, 2012, to 2014.

Joseph Kipchirchir Boinett was the second and was in charge from March 2015 to March 2019 succeded by outgoing IG Mutyambai.