Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome is under fire for directing police officers to make use of their firearms when faced with danger.
On Friday, Koome told off the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for condemning police officers who err while executing their mandate but remain silent when officers are killed in the line of duty.
“Officers, we don’t want to hear you’ve been hurt, your hand cut yet you have a gun with you. Count on the IG to stand with you. We have a committed CS. Do not be cowed by the busybodies who keep on calling for the arrest of police officers. Today we are mourning and I don’t see them anywhere,” said Koome.
IPOA and human rights organization Haki Africa condemned Koome’s remarks, saying they amount to a shoot-to-kill order against suspected criminals.
IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori termed the pronouncement by Koome as “unfortunate and dangerous” and warned police officers against using their weapons carelessly as they will individually carry their cross.
“In all, the Authority wishes to remind police officers where criminal culpability has been established, that is after investigations, it is individuals who have been called to account: not the Service, not a Unit, and it is expected that there will be compliance with the Sixth Schedule, Part C on specific responsibilities of superior officers from issuing unlawful orders,” Makori said.
Haki Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid asked the inspector general to withdraw his remarks and warned police officers against misusing firearms.
“We want to reaffirm to Kenyans that we will continue standing with them and continuing speaking with boldness. Kenya is governed by the Constitution. We call upon the police officers to remember the oath of office they took to protect Kenyans. We call upon police officers to protect Kenyans and not use excessive force,” said Khalid.
“It was not in order for IG to urge police officers to use force. Their work is to protect Kenyans,” he said.
Kenyans have turned out to…
Kenyans have turned out to be burdensome chicken in the hustler government. The goal is to kill all the hungry hustlers so they don’t hear them crying of hunger. This CJ Koome’s brother thinks he us above the law!
I dont think the Inspector…
I dont think the Inspector general of police is giving police officers license to kill.He is merely stating the obvious; you do not bring a knife to a gun fight.It would be ridiculous for a trigger happy officer to read this to mean that he/she can kill recklessly.Yes, you kill recklessly, you face full force of the law,if not mob justice.
Now if you were a dangerous and armed criminal would complain if the bullet paralyzed you in a fight with police, or would you consider yourself lucky?
I dont think the Inspector…
I dont think the Inspector general of police is giving police officers license to kill.He is merely stating the obvious; you do not bring a knife to a gun fight.It would be ridiculous for a trigger happy officer to read this to mean that he/she can kill recklessly.Yes, you kill recklessly, you face full force of the law,if not mob justice.
Now if you were a dangerous and armed criminal would you complain if the bullet paralyzed you in a fight with police, or would you consider yourself lucky?