Interior PS reprimand police leadership for harassing ant-femicide picketers on Tuesday
Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has reprimanded the National Police leadership led by Inspector General of Police Douglas Karanja for unleashing terror against peaceful demonstrators marking the sixteen days of anti-femicide campaign in the city, Nairobi.
While condemning the teargassing and arrests of the protesters as regrettable, Omollo said the apparent display of police excesses reflected poorly on the country’s policing approach.
Omollo spoke yesterday while appearing on Citizen TV’s JKL Show hosted by Jeff Koinange.
“I think the events were pretty much unfortunate, to say the least. Things just did not go right. The actions taken against peaceful demonstrators were unacceptable and avoidable… We have had talks with the Inspector General of Police, and it is regrettable. This should not have happened in the first place. It shows part of the challenges that we have in policing.” Omollo remarked.
The march, organised to raise awareness about the rising cases of femicide in Kenya, turned chaotic after police disrupted it using excessive force against otherwise peaceful demonstrators.
Protesters, who had gathered to demand justice for femicide victims, were teargassed with leaders like Amnesty International’s Irungu Hoghton being arrested.
“It is something that we deeply regret. We have internal processes within the police structure, and anyone found culpable will be subjected to the legal process and established protocols. We have had discussions with the Inspector General of Police, and it is regrettable—something that should not have happened in the first place.” Omollo added.
On Tuesday, December 10, 2024, the police cordoned off Nairobi’s Jeevanjee Gardens and dispersed hundreds of activists with teargas as they gathered for a march against femicide and gender-based killings.
The protesters had planned to converge at the venue and march along major streets in the city, urging President William Ruto to declare the rising deaths of women a national disaster.
The march coincided with the conclusion of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and aimed to unite women, human rights activists, and allies to raise awareness about the femicide crisis that has gripped the country in recent months.
President William Ruto has recently reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting policies aimed at eradicating the vice, which has resurfaced in recent months.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has reported 94 cases of women and girls killed between 2021 and 2024, with 65 suspects charged in connection with these murders.
