IG Koome Goes After Cops Who Teargassed Raila Supporters Celebrating His Birthday

Inspector General of Police (IG) Japhet Koome has ordered administrative action to be taken against officers drawn from the National Police Anti-Riot Unit who lobbed teargas at a section of Kenyans who gathered to celebrate Raila Odinga's 79th birthday.

In a statement on Sunday, January 7 sent to Viral Tea, the police boss reprimanded his juniors for going above board by dispersing the board which gathered outside the Kenya National Archives to celebrate the Azimio la Umoja leader's birthday

"The National Police Service takes cognizance of the unwarranted violent dispersion of members of the public who were holding a peaceful celebration in Nairobi today 7/7/2024.

"The Inspector General, IG Japhet Koome has directed for stern administrative action to be taken against the Officers who engaged in the unlawful action," the statement read in part.

He added that the National Police Service (NPS) reiterates its commitment to remain politically neutral in the execution of its mandate of protecting life and property.

The directive comes hours after the police officers lobbed teargas at the supporters who were marking Raila's birthday at the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD), coinciding with a grand cake-cutting ceremony that the opposition leader held in Malindi, Kilifi County as well as similar celebrations held in different parts of the country.

The crowd was made to scatter in different directions as the canisters exploded and released the teargas, some of the canisters landing on the birthday cakes laid on the table before exploding.

As the cameraman bravely captured the unfolding scenes, a woman could be heard pleading with the officers to "Wacha tuchukue keki...wacha tuchukue keki! (let us take the cake)".

The woman braved the smoke as she stepped in to salvage the cake, only for it to drop from her hands as she walked off empty-handed.

However, a male supporter managed to salvage part of the cake. At the same time, he could be heard intimidating the officers before they took off, including the cameraman, who returned to assess the damage caused.

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Communications Director Peter Etale confirmed the incident, adding that the anti-riot officers also fired live bullets in the air to disperse the crowd.

"Police in anti-riot gear has attacked peaceful Kenyans outside the National Archives as they were celebrating Raila Odinga’s birthday," Etale stated in part on X.

"They lobbed tear-gas canisters and shot live bullets in the air. They were led by OCPD for Central."

Raila on his part marked his birthday by first visiting the Malindi Orphanage where children joined him to mark his 79th birthday after which he proceeded to cut the cake in an event attended by Raila's wife Idah and Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir as well as Senators Stewart Mwadzayo and Hamida Kibwana.

MPs Zamzam Mohamed (Mombasa Women Rep), Gertrude Mbeyu (Kilifi Women Rep), Rashid Bedzimba (Kisauni), Omar Mwinyi (Changamwe), Mishi Mboko (Likoni), Ken Chonga (Kilifi South), Harrison Kombe (Magarini), Antony Oluoch (Mathare), Assembly Speakers Aharub Shatri (Mombasa) and Teddy Mwambire (Kilifi) were also in attendance.