Leaders of the Wiper Democratic Movement have called for the immediate resignation of Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome and Nairobi region police Commander Adamson Bungei over allegations of police brutality during recent protests against the Finance Bill.
In a press statement on Wednesday, the leaders demanded that the Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Igonga, initiate legal action against Koome, Bungei, and their officers for the alleged crimes committed by the police. "Wiper Democratic Movement demands that IG Koome and Nairobi regional commander Adamson Bungei resign from office and accept responsibility for the deaths, injuries, hijackings, and abductions of hundreds of young people, some of whom remain unaccounted for," they stated.
The party condemned the extreme brutality allegedly used by the police to suppress peaceful protesters, calling it unacceptable and unforgivable. They also urged the government to acknowledge by name those who lost their lives during the protests. "There should be a full and unequivocal public apology from the CS Interior and the Executive for the deaths, and compensation should be made to the families," they added.
According to the Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNCHR), at least 39 people died and 361 were injured during the nationwide protests against the Finance Bill, recorded between June 18 and July 1, 2024. KNCHR chairperson Roseline Odede expressed concern that postmortems for most of the victims have yet to be conducted.
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Odede highlighted that the demonstrations, which began peacefully on the first day, turned chaotic by June 25, resulting in numerous deaths, injuries, and property damage. The KNCHR reported that the deceased victims were from various regions: Nairobi (17), Nakuru (3), Laikipia (1), Narok (1), Kajiado (3), Uasin Gishu (4), Kakamega (1), Kisumu (2), Kisii (1), Mombasa (3), Siaya (1), Kiambu (1), and Nandi (1).
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