National Police Service Resila OnyangoThe National Police Service (NPS) has dismissed a duty roster purporting to show the names and contacts of officers assigned to deal with Monday’s protestors.
In a statement to newsrooms, the Office of Inspector General said no officers were deployed specifically to arrest protestors.
NPS spokesperson, Resila Onyango, reiterated that the duty roster had “absolutely nothing to do with any general or specific task” assigned to the officers in relation to demonstrations.
She explained that duty rosters generally offer a framework for records and documentation of police administrative and operational processes; and promote and enhance accountability of the service.
Onyango further said duty rosters ensure that all officers at the station are apprised of the relevant contacts in the event they require assistance in the course of their duties.
A post of a duty roster has been circulating on social media detailing names and cellphone contacts of officers on duty at one of the police stations in Nairobi on Monday.
“Contrary to the malicious and misleading information insinuating that the roster was meant for the arrest of protestors yesterday (Monday), we wish to clarify to the public that under Chapter 59, Paragraph 12 of the National Police Service Standing Orders, duty rosters are maintained at all sub-counties, stations, posts, outposts and traffic offices in the country for the purpose of planning and assigning responsibilities for a period,” NPS added.
NPS urged the public to refrain from spreading misinformation intended for public incitement.
Dozens of protesters were on Monday arrested during nationwide clashes between police and demonstrators over a wave of alleged abductions of government critics.
At least 53 unarmed protesters were arrested across the country throughout the day, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
Anti-government protestors have been sharing personal information of political figures, and the police officers who they deem as their enemies during demos.
The information is shared hoping that Kenyans would flood the individuals with insults and threats.
