Opposition leader Raila Odinga criticized Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen over comments about police using deadly force against protesters. Odinga spoke Sunday at a church service in Bondo, Siaya county. He said police killed young demonstrators during June 25 protests in Nairobi. The former Prime Minister condemned property destruction during the demonstrations. He argued that officers have no legal authority to shoot and kill people.
Odinga demanded that police arrest suspects rather than use lethal weapons against them. He criticized statements from Murkomen that appeared to support deadly force for protecting government buildings. The opposition leader called such instructions shameful and unconstitutional. Courts should handle criminal cases instead of police executing people on the streets. Officers must follow proper legal procedures when dealing with lawbreakers.
A human rights commission report documented serious casualties from the protests. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights found that 19 people died during the demonstrations. Medical workers treated 531 injured protesters at hospitals across the city. Security forces disappeared 15 people who remain missing. Families continue searching for their relatives who vanished during the unrest.
Murkomen denied ordering police to kill protesters during the demonstrations. He spoke at a security meeting with President William Ruto on Saturday. The Cabinet Secretary claimed he only explained existing laws about defending infrastructure. Constitutional rules prevent him from giving direct orders to police commanders. Murkomen insisted his comments reflected legal interpretation rather than operational instructions.
Odinga demanded that police arrest suspects rather than use lethal weapons against them. He criticized statements from Murkomen that appeared to support deadly force for protecting government buildings. The opposition leader called such instructions shameful and unconstitutional. Courts should handle criminal cases instead of police executing people on the streets. Officers must follow proper legal procedures when dealing with lawbreakers.
A human rights commission report documented serious casualties from the protests. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights found that 19 people died during the demonstrations. Medical workers treated 531 injured protesters at hospitals across the city. Security forces disappeared 15 people who remain missing. Families continue searching for their relatives who vanished during the unrest.
Murkomen denied ordering police to kill protesters during the demonstrations. He spoke at a security meeting with President William Ruto on Saturday. The Cabinet Secretary claimed he only explained existing laws about defending infrastructure. Constitutional rules prevent him from giving direct orders to police commanders. Murkomen insisted his comments reflected legal interpretation rather than operational instructions.
