DPP Haji Intervenes, Gives IG Koome 14 Days To Probe Azimio Protests

Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has directed the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to hunt down the masterminds of violence during the Azimio la Umoja anti-President William Ruto government demonstrations.

In a statement addressed to the IG on Tuesday, March 28, the DPP instructed the police boss to investigate the alleged loss of lives, acts of violence, destruction of property, arson and stealing, among other offences during the demonstrations, contrary to the Penal Code, Chapter 63, Laws of Kenya.

He however expressed concerns regarding the delay by the police force in arresting the planners and financiers of the aforementioned offences during the demonstrations, noting that the police had only arrested a few suspects caught engaging in the acts while little was known about the real culprits enabling their action.

IG Japhet Koome addressing the media on Sunday, March 26, 2023. /CITIZEN DIGITAL

As such, Haji handed IG Koome 14 days (2 weeks) to ensure that the orchestrators are identified and their names forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).

"Whereas some suspects have been arrested and charged in court for various offences, we have noted that the persons culpable for planning, inciting, instigating, and/or financing the commission of the aforementioned offences have not been investigated.

"Consequently, pursuant to Article 157 (4) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, you are hereby directed to undertake comprehensive investigations into the aforementioned offences and all persons responsible for planning, inciting, instigating, and/or financing the commission of any offence and submit the investigation file within fourteen (14) days of the date hereof," the statement read in part. 

The DPP further warned Kenyans against using social media platforms to incite or advance ethnic-based contempt.

He vowed to deal with incidents contrary to Article 33(2) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, The National Cohesion and Integration Act, 2008 and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018.

"The ODPP reaffirms its commitment to uphold the rule of law and respect for human rights in the discharge of its mandate, and any person found culpable for the commission of any offence shall be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.," he added. 

IG Koome had earlier issued a report revealing that the events that transpired on Monday, March 27 that included two invasions of the Northlands Farm in Ruiru and the East Africa Spectre gas plant along Mombasa road prompted the police to launch investigations.

The Police boss also reported that two vans were torched during the Monday protests to increase the losses incurred by the National Police Service in its mission of managing the Azimio la Umoja protests and that 23 police officers were injured.

"We also received reports of the invasion and destruction of a Farm in Kiambu County. Relatedly, we received reports of an invasion of a private company within the Embakasi area in Nairobi to which Our Officers responded swiftly and prevented further crimes," stated Koome in part.

"We condemn acts of thuggery and destruction unleashed on the Kenyatta's Northlands farm and the Odinga family business, East Africa Spectre Limited. We callout high-ranking Government officials starting with the principal assistant of Ruto, Rigathi Gachagua, Kimani Ichungwa and others who issued threats of yesterday's attacks which were actualised in violent operations with the apparent connivance of the police," Karua stated during the press briefing.