Inspector General Joseph Boinnet Warns NASA Anti-IEBC Demonstrators

Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet has told National Super Alliance (NASA) that full force will be applied on them if they attempt to attack police stations during their anti-IEBC demos.

In a statement issued on his behalf by Police Spokesman George Kinoti, the IG vowed that attempts to attack police stations will not be tolerated. “Such attacks will be deemed, among other violations of the law, as an attempt to steal firearms, and will elicit the appropriate response,” Boinnet said.

However, Nasa leaders have dismissed Boinnet’s warning as an attempt to justify “brutal killings of unarmed civilians” fighting for their rights. “What has a 73-year-old grandmother got to do with the purported attacks on police stations?” MP Opiyo Wandayi asked in reference to a granny shot dead by the police as she left hospital in Migori on Friday.

“We condemn the violent disruptions of peaceful demonstrations by the police that have resulted in deaths and injuries. We hold Interior CS Fred Matiang’i squarely responsible for this. He, together with his sponsors, shall be personally held to account,” Wandayi said.

The Ugunja MP said that the opposition will not be intimidated by police or anyone, adding that Nasa will continue with the demos countrywide next week. “Those responsible like Matiang’i should never be allowed to get away with these senseless killings. Killing people who are expressing their rights in a peaceful manner is criminal, uncalled for and must be condemned by those who love humanity. Does Matiang’i now feel happy because lives have been lost?” he said.

On Friday, Nasa protesters defied a government ban announced by Acting Interior CS Fred Matiang’i and staged their demos in Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa CBDs. Two people were shot dead in Bondo town as a group attempted to storm a police station.