The recent shooting of a business vendor in Nairobi’s central business district during a demonstration on Tuesday, allegedly by an unidentified police officer at close range, has intensified calls for accountability within the National Police Service (NPS) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Pressure is mounting on President Dr. William Ruto to suspend high-ranking security officials following this incident, which has been characterized as a violation of constitutional rights.
In a comprehensive press release, Sebastian Onyango, chairperson of the Justice and Equality Council, a civil society organization based in the United Kingdom, has called for the immediate suspension of key figures within these security agencies.
The council specifically cites the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, his deputy Eliud Lagat, and the Director of National Intelligence, Mohamed Amin, for their alleged failure to safeguard citizens during protests. The unrest in Nairobi was further fueled by public outrage over the brutal murder of Albert Ojwang’, a teacher and blogger who died in police custody at the Central Police Station.
In the wake of these events, several individuals, including the officer in charge of the station, Samson Talaam, and police constable James Mukhwana, have been arrested. In response to the growing public outcry, Eliud Lagat has stepped aside to allow for an independent investigation by the Independent Police Oversight Authority.
