Japhet Koome, Kenya’s police chief, resigned on Friday in the face of growing criticism regarding the way the police handled recent anti-government protests. President William Ruto’s office announced the resignation after a day of intense political turmoil that included the resignation of almost the entire cabinet in reaction to protesters. Douglas Kanja, Koome’s deputy, is filling in as acting police chief in the interim.
Proposed tax rises first set off the protests, which soon grew into larger calls for political responsibility and reform that addressed issues of corruption and bad governance. President Ruto eventually withdrew the tax measures, but not before the protests continued, with some participants demanding his resignation.
Violence ruined the protests. According to reports, demonstrators were dispersed by police using water cannons, tear gas, and even live bullets. Protesters have stormed parliament buildings on occasion, demonstrating the fervor of the public’s fury. Many have accused law officials of using excessive force in response, and local activists and Amnesty International have reported cases of demonstrators being abused and kidnapped.
One of the most distressing outcomes of the unrest has been the death toll. At least 39 people were killed during the protests, according to reports from human rights groups. The situation became even worse when several dead were found in a quarry in Nairobi’s slum neighborhood of Mukuru. One body was discovered lately, but most of the others were rotten, according to rights organizations and eyewitnesses. There is still uncertainty regarding the relationship between these deaths and the protests, which has led community groups to demand in-depth inquiries into these incidents.
President Ruto, who has been in office since September 2022, addressed the nation last week via the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. He expressed regret over the reported abductions and affirmed that any police officers found responsible for misconduct would be held accountable. This statement came amidst growing pressure on his administration to ensure justice and reform within the police force.
The case of Denzel Omondi, a protester whose body was found in a quarry outside Nairobi, has become a focal point for national outrage. Amnesty International has demanded an independent investigation into his death, which remains in mystery and speculation about police involvement.
Following these unfortunate events, a government spokeswoman forwarded a police statement on X, which said that forensic analyses are being carried out by authorities to identify the deceased and ascertain the cause of their deaths. As the country looks for explanations and responsibility for the violence connected to the protests, the ongoing investigations are essential.
