The Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, has proposed banning face masks, hooded sweaters, and spectacles partially covering a suspect's face while being arraigned in court.
Koome stated that suspects should be humiliated by exposing their faces to everyone to deter others from engaging in the acts for which they are accused.
“We have allowed suspects to wear face masks in court for too long now; they are wearing masks, large goggles and hoodies such that you cannot see their faces. We have to rethink these things,” the police boss said in Mombasa during the Coast Region Conference on Ending Illicit Brews and Drugs Abuse.
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“We need to see them, at least there is some punishment for being seen by everyone… they need to be shamed. Your Excellency, we must change the way we have been doing things; we have to be ruthless if we want to change society.”
Koome, who was addressing stakeholders including President William Ruto, his deputy Rigathi Gachagua, and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, stated that youth in the region have become addicted to narcotics and "they don't care."
He accused Mombasa police chiefs of unwillingness to arrest so-called drug barons and gave them four days to apprehend at least one of those charged with drug trafficking in the region.
“For a long time, he has not arrested any drug baron. I am here on duty for about four days. We must get a baron within those days, you have no option,” said Koome.
