Police shakeup in aftermath of anti-femicide marches

Nairobi Central sub-county police commander and the Central station commander have been transferred following the manner in which they handled the December 10 anti-femicide protests.

Police officers fired teargas and arrested at least four people despite the fact that the protests were largely peaceful. This response elicited mixed reactions from Kenyans with most condemning the police action and calling for stern action against the commanders.

Central sub-county Police Commander Doris Kimeli was on Monday recalled to police headquarters, Vigilance House in the changes and replaced by Stephen Okal, a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP).

Okal has been transferred from Moiben and was also the former deputy Officer Commanding Police Division in Buruburu. The Central Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Isaac Nur was moved to Mulot in the same capacity and replaced by Benjamin Talam.

Officials said the police officers who handled the protests are under probe by among others the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU).

Preliminary investigations show that the force used was unnecessarily aggressive even when lesser actions may have been appropriate.

Force must be proportional to the gravity of the offence, the legitimate objective to be achieved and whether the suspect poses a threat to the officers.

Inspector General of police Douglas Kanja is said to have directed the matter be investigated and action taken against those found culpable. Police bosses have distanced themselves from the violent dispersing of the protests.

Last week, Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo regretted the police violence meted on peaceful protesters. Omollo termed the violent scenes by police officers to unarmed protesters as “unfortunate and unacceptable”.

“I think the events were pretty much unfortunate and one happening on such an important day definitely, just shows the challenge we have around policing and looking at the people who were out there demonstrating,” said the PS, acknowledging the importance of the demos in sensitising Kenyans during International Human Rights Day. He said investigations into the incidents are ongoing and those found culpable would face the law.

Unequivocal criticism

Omollo said they have had concerns across the country over the last few days on issue of femicide and it was a question where “we say things just didn’t go right”.

“We have the internal processes within the structure of police and what we expect is that anybody found culpable definitely has to be taken through the legal process and established protocols,” the PS added.

Police bosses are under sharp criticism over the incident where police officers in Nairobi lobbed teargas at demonstrators. Protesters also shared images of live bullets police reportedly fired at the peaceful marchers.

The United States government through its Embassy in Nairobi slammed the move by police lamenting that the incident occurred on International Human Rights Day, when people around the world are called to reflect on and uphold human rights.

In a joint statement, Amnesty International Kenya, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Human is My ID Alliance and the End Femicide KE Movement termed the incident a grave violation of human rights.

“The excessive force and unwarranted arrests not only violate national and international human rights laws but also send a chilling message to all those advocating for justice and accountability. These actions undermine the rule of law and reinforce the impunity that perpetuates violence against women,” the rights groups said.