Nairobi: Kenya’s police chief Japhet Koome resigned on Friday after facing severe criticism over the conduct of officers during last month’s anti-government protests, which resulted in the deaths of at least 39 people.
President William Ruto’s office announced Koome’s resignation just a day after Ruto dismissed nearly his entire cabinet in response to the demands of protesters. Deputy Police Chief Douglas Kanja has been appointed as the acting police chief.
The demonstrations, initially sparked by proposed tax increases, began peacefully but soon escalated into violence. Police employed tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition to disperse the crowds, while some protesters stormed the parliament building. Despite President Ruto retracting the tax hikes, the protests have persisted, with activists now calling for his resignation and significant political reforms to address endemic corruption and poor governance.
Accusations have been levied against the police for excessive use of force and the abduction of dozens of protesters. In a recent event hosted on social media platform X, President Ruto expressed regret over the reported abductions and assured that any officers found culpable would be held accountable.
The grim discovery of Denzel Omondi’s body, a protester who went missing during the demonstrations, was made last week in a quarry outside Nairobi. Amnesty International has called for an independent investigation into his death. So far, police officials have not commented on Amnesty’s report.
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Adding to the tragedy, at least eight more bodies were found on Friday in a quarry in Mukuru, a sprawling collection of slums in Nairobi. Reuters eyewitnesses and rights groups reported the discovery. “Most of them have decomposed but one was fresh. We don’t know if we can relate it to protests or it’s femicide since most of them are women,” said Miriam Nyamuita, an activist with the Mukuru Community Justice Centre. Human rights activists are urging for an immediate and thorough investigation.
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A government spokesperson shared a police statement on X, stating that the authorities are analyzing samples to identify the deceased and that investigations are ongoing.
