Activist Boniface Mwangi on Wednesday explained why he thinks Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome ought to resign.
Speaking during an interview with Citizen's JKL show, he claimed that the IG has overseen killings of ‘innocent’ Kenyans during the Azimio la Umoja coalition led anti-government protests.
The activist stated that since the demos started March this year, over 30 people have lost their lives under Koome's leadership. Therefore, he should step down and face the law.
“I think the problem is we never hold the police accountable for their actions. The last four weeks have been a mess with a lot of deaths and I think the officers involved should be held accountable,” Mwangi explained.
“Those involved should be prosecuted. My opinion is Japhet Koome should resign because, under him, innocent unharmed Kenyans were murdered - cold blood murder," he added.
Several people were killed during the violent clashes between anti-riot police and protesters in the three-day demos held between Wednesday and Friday last week.
The opposition called for protests to vent their dissatisfaction over the rising cost of living as well as the introduction of controversial tax measures via the Finance Act of 2023.
Opposition leaders, human rights organizations and foreign missions condemned the police for using live bullets and disproportionate crowd control weapons like teargas and water canons against demonstrators.
No official statistics have been released regarding the deaths so far. However, Azimio claims at least 50 people lost their lives although some rights groups said it's roughly half the number.
Interior CS Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday issued a statement saying investigations are ongoing and those found to have supplied guns that were used to kill civilians will be prosecuted.
He absolved police from alleged extrajudicial killings saying the criminal acts were perpetrated using civilian guns and the blame shifted to the police.
The last time IG Koome was heard was last week on Tuesday, July 18, 2023 when he banned the three-day opposition demonstrations, warning that any demonstrations taking place will be dealt with in accordance with the law.
Koome said the police had not received any notifications about the same despite it being a legal requirement.
"In line with NPS mandate to maintain law and order; protect life and property; and preserve peace, we wish to inform the public that any demonstrations that will be held in any part of Kenya on Wednesday, July 19, 2023, will be dealt with promptly in accordance with the law," he said in a statement.