MUHURI Threatens To Sue IG Koome Over Withdrawal Of Azimio Security

Muslim for Human Rights (MUHURI) on Sunday, March 26 in its heavy-worded letter accused Inspector General of Police (IG) Japhet Koome of denying select Azimio la Umoja leaders the right to security after revealing that he had recalled their security detail.

The Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), which is chaired by former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, had accused the IG of making a blunder in that decision, adding that the Azimio leaders have a right just like any other Kenyan to be protected by the police.

MUHURI further accused Koome of being biased in a matter of public interest, terming him as a high-ranking officer serving the interests of the President William Ruto-led government.

"The same Koome, at a press briefing on Sunday, March 26, said arrogantly that he had recalled the police officers guarding the Azimio leaders. Mr Koome should know that it is the right of every Kenyan to get security and protection from the police. It is not a favour but a RIGHT!

"We are seriously disturbed by the character of the inspector general, who has taken sides in a matter of national and public interest, and a matter as critical as security. Mr Koome is clearly a captain in the ranks of the Kenya Kwanza political divide. This regime has repeatedly said that Kenya is a company, and they (of the Kenya Kwanza faction) are the shareholders," read the letter in part.

The Mutunga-led rights group reminded Koome that the National Police Service is an independent constitutional body mandated by the people of Kenya through the Constitution to protect and provide security and serve all Kenyans equally.

It viewed his tough talk during a press briefing on Sunday as a red flag in his character as the police IG and poked holes in his history in the NPS while accusing him of spreading unprofessionalism in the police.

"In 2017, as the Nairobi Police Commander, he oversaw the police killing of 23 Kenyans. He got away with the murders, was rewarded by the Kenya Kwanza government, and seems emboldened and ready to kill more Kenyans.

"Last week on Monday, the police killed a young university student in Maseno. On Sunday, Koome, instead of condemning the act, defended the police officer who allegedly committed the murder," added MUHURI

The NGO further vowed to sue Koome for gross abuse of the Constitution and for overseeing the murder of innocent Kenyans, promising him that the law would catch up with him and that he would be held accountable.

It also asked the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to respond to the IG's utterances.

"A word of caution to all police officers: Any police officer who misuses or abuses their power and noble role of protecting life and property will be held responsible individually.

"You may run, but you can't hide. The law will also catch up with you and deal with you," warned MUHURI.

IG Koome disclosed that he had withdrawn the security of politicians who confirmed their participation in the Monday, March 27 protests, even as he criticised Azimio’s demands to have IEBC’s elections servers opened.

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