The Interior Ministry has recommended to President William Ruto to initiate the process of establishing the Coroner General’s Office to investigate deaths, including those resulting from police action.

The office, according to the Internal Security Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo will improve the accuracy, transparency and reliability of death investigations.

The National Coroners Service Act 2017 establishes the Coroner General’s Office

Dr Omollo also said the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has the power to investigate and recommend the prosecution of police officers involved in misconduct and unlawful acts and was already conducting some probes.

“IPOA is already conducting independent investigations into several allegations of alleged police misconduct, killings and reported enforced disappearances,” he said.

The PS also said yesterday that police and all security officers have been directed to exercise restraint during peaceful protests and use of non-lethal force to ensure public safety.

PS Omollo said that while the police are guided by the National Police Service Act which prohibits the use of excessive force in the execution of their duties, Section 49 of the Police Service Act allows them to use force only when it is necessary and to the extent required in the execution of their duties.

“The police can indeed be compelled to use reasonable force when isolated and specific scenarios of protests escalate to criminalities including rioting, looting and burning of properties, disruption of traffic through erection of road blocks on major highways and invasion of critical and protected infrastructure,” he said.

Respect human life

He further warned that though the respect for the sanctity of human life and the security of property is not negotiable, it was unfortunate that acts of lawlessness arising from infiltration of peaceful demonstration had resulted into the current prevailing security situation.

“What began as an expression of divergent opinion over the financial vision for the country has tragically escalated to a situation where we are sadly counting the number of lives lost, value of property destroyed and families deprived of livelihoods,” he said.
The government has also deployed more security personnel in hotspots and areas where security for critical infrastructure is prioritized.

Police officers have also been directed to operate within the law, especially when arresting suspects.

“All arrests made in any part of the country are subject to the Criminal Procedure Code that spells out how arrests are executed, and detention and trial of suspects,” he said.

The PS added: “Anyone aggrieved by police actions is welcome to seek redress through our established criminal justice system, including the courts.

The government has also established a National Multi Agency Command to coordinate the security operations, and the officers have also been directed to remain alert concerning the insecurity posed by protests infiltrations and the cases of violence and disruption of public order.

“Criminals camouflaging as peace-loving will be dealt with firmly in strict adherence with the law and the National Police will continue to pursue all those culpable, whether the crimes were committed today.