Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome Sunday reprimanded his juniors for dispersing a meeting of Raila Odinga supporters who were celebrating his 79th birthday.
He at the same time directed that administrative action be taken against those behind the incident where the supporters were violently teargassed and dispersed from outside Tom Mboya statue along Tom Mboya Street, Nairobi.
Koome said he had taken cognizance of the unwarranted violent dispersion of members of the public who were holding a peaceful celebration in Nairobi.
“The Inspector General, IG Japhet Koome has directed for stern administrative action to be taken against the Officers who engaged in the unlawful action,” said part of a statement from his office.
He said the National Police Service reiterates its commitment to remain politically neutral in the execution of its mandate of protecting life and property.
Those targeted include Nairobi area police commander Adamson Bungei, Central police boss Doris Kimeli, and the Officer Commanding Station.
It emerged the officers were told to provide security to those holding the birthday party and talk to the organizers for a peaceful end to the events.
The move by the police boss follows an outcry on the move by police to disperse the otherwise peaceful group.
A group of Raila Odinga’s supporters was tear-gassed during the opposition leader’s birthday celebrations on Sunday.
The incident happened at the Tom Mboya Statue along Tom Mboya Street in Nairobi.
This happened as a group met to celebrate the 79th birthday of Odinga.
The move to lob teargas canisters at the group angered many online who accused police of being primitive and unreasonable.
Some of those present claimed there were live bullets.
Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leaders were then meeting at Serena Hotel about two kilometers away to mark the day.
Odinga was not present. He was celebrating in Malindi with another group of leaders.
Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka told a press conference in Nairobi that they had to change the venue for a cake-cutting ceremony they had organized in honor of the former prime minister, who turned 79 on Sunday.
“Our supporters were tear-gassed for celebrating Baba’s birthday. Why would someone tear-gas a birthday cake? Maybe someone wants to stop the start of a revolution,” said Kalonzo.
MP for Westlands Tim Wanyonyi said the disruption was orchestrated by police officers.
“The police turned up and tear-gassed our supporters.
The government is scared because of tension and Kenyans who have no money as schools reopen,” he said.
The leaders were speaking to the media at Serena Hotel, which they said is where they had moved the cake-cutting ceremony.
The move by the police angered many online.
Anti-riot police had been patrolling the city streets dispersing any crowd. They said they feared the event would turn into riots against the cost of living.
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IG Koome Directs Action On His Juniors For Dispersing Raila Supporters Celebrating Birthday, IG Koome Directs Action On His Juniors For Dispersing Raila Supporters Celebrating Birthday
