Not All Cops Are To Blame- Kindiki On Protesters Shot During June 25 Demonstrations

The CS noted that it was inaccurate to label accusations against police officers without substantiating that police bullets killed the protesters.

Viral Tea Ke Writer Viral Tea Ke Writer
Sep 26, 2024 - 13:28 Updated: Sep 26, 2024 - 13:36
0
Not All Cops Are To Blame- Kindiki On Protesters Shot During June 25 Demonstrations
Interior CS nominee, Kithure Kindiki appearing before the National Assembly Appointments Committee during his vetting on August 1, 2024. /MWANGI MAINA.X

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Thursday, September 26 argued that not all police officers were at fault over the shooting of protesters during the June 25, 2024 demonstrations which saw, among others, Parliament Buildings invaded.

While appearing before the National Assembly National Security Committee, the CS noted that it was inaccurate to label accusations against police officers without substantiating that police bullets killed the protesters.

"The fact that somebody has been shot is not conclusive evidence that they have been shot by a police officer. Maybe there is a presumption that that bullet belongs to a police officer," he said.

However, the CS justified the use of brutal force by police officers on the peaceful protesters, arguing that the national security force had to be deployed to protect critical national institutions including Parliament.

Parliament buildings on fire as of June 25, 2024. /INDIA TODAY

"It is not correct to argue that the police officers cannot use force. If we never applied force on that fateful day we would have been talking about a different Kenya," he said.

"If we overthrow constitutional institutions like Parliament, Judiciary, Executive, we have no country. We would not have this discussion because the country would not be there in the first place."

Furthermore, he claimed that the protests that took place in June and July were part of an attempt to overthrow President William Ruto's government through unconstitutional means.

“There was an attempt to attack and set fire to other protected areas such as the Supreme Court. The office of the Chief Justice was also targeted, which means the entire Judiciary was under threat," he told the MPs.

He further alleged that those behind the unrest had plans to seize State House unlawfully, justifying the use of lethal force during the coup. "If the police had not used lethal force during the invasion of Parliament, we would not have the Kenya we know today," he continued.

Kindiki also emphasized that the protestors were not merely opposed to the passage of the finance bill, but had more violent intentions. "The people who stormed Parliament were not there to debate the finance bill; they were coming to kill you," he warned.

He added that the government would pursue legal action against high-level officials who were allegedly involved in organizing and financing the protests.

People attend a demonstration against Kenya's proposed finance bill in Nairobi, Kenya, June 25. /REUTERS

Tags: