Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition on Friday called for the immediate sacking of Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome and Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei over their handling of anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
The opposition umbrella said the two should relinquish their positions following the killing of a protester Rex Masai and assault meted out on a good number of those who participated in the protests by police officers.
“We demand that Inspector General Japheth Koome and Nairobi Regional Commander Mr. Adamson Bungei immediately tender their resignations for failing to protect the peaceful demonstrators,” said the party during a press briefing
The coalition further asked the Director of Public Prosecutions to institute charges against Koome, Bungei, and other elements within the police service found to be rogue.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the coalition, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka maintained that Rex, aged 29, was picketing peaceably alongside hundreds of thousands of others who had turned up for the protests and did nothing to warrant an attack from the police.
“Rex, like all his comrades, was peaceful, unarmed and non-violent. But he was senselessly gunned down by a police bullet. This is a tragic event with far-reaching consequences,” he said
The party has pledged to offer all the help required in seeking answers and justice for the Rex and those injured during the demos even as it demanded that all perpetrators of police brutality be arrested and charged with murder in a court of law.
“All Kenyans’ lives matter and to our police service just know that one day you will be held accountable for all the lives lost,”
“It is evident that there is a big problem with our security officers, as these tragic shootings are not isolated events. Not long ago, when Kenyans marched for Maadamano, 75 people were killed because certain police officers opted to fire live bullets into the peaceful crowds. This is the return of a police force instead of a police service contrary to our Constitution,” charged Kalonzo who was flanked by other members of the coalition
At the same time, Azimio la Umoja has demanded that all protestors detained by security agencies be released immediately and unconditionally.
