- Rex Kanyike Masai allegedly died from police gunshots on Thursday.
- Azimio termed the shooting a tragic event with far-reaching consequences.
Image: FILE
The opposition has condemned the killing of a young protester allegedly by police on Thursday, calling on the Inspector General Japhet Koome to resign.
In a statement on Friday, Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition also called on Nairobi regional police commander Adamson Bungei to quit.
They have opined that the two failed to protect protesters who were demonstrating peacefully.
"As Azimio and on behalf of the people, we demand that Inspector General Japheth Koome and Nairobi RegionalCommander Adamson Bunge immediately tender their resignations for failing to protect the peaceful demonstrators,'' Azimio said.
Azimio said the two must be held accountable and individually culpable following the shooting of Rex Kanyike Masai.
"Rex braved the cold front to hold up a placard and join in a protest song against the Kenya Kwanza regime. Rex, like all his comrades, was peaceful, unarmed and non-violent. But he was senselessly gunned down by a bullet,'' Azimio said.
Azimio termed the shooting a tragic event with far-reaching consequences.
Rex was allegedly shot by police on Thursday as protesters flocked the streets to oppose the Finance Bill, 2024 that was under consideration by the National Assembly.
Azimio said the death of Masai is a stark reminder of the dark days when the opposition lost many of its supporters to police officers when 'exercising their constitutional right'.
"Our Coalition is extremely disturbed by Rex's fatal shooting. We have far too many memories of the tragedies, and our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the community that has suffered such a terrible loss,'' Azimio said.
The opposition said the shooting confirms that there is a big problem with security officers as the tragic shootings are not isolated events in Kenya.
Azimio said not long ago, when Kenyans marched for Maadamano,75 people were allegedly killed because certain police officers opted to fire live bullets into the peaceful crowds.
''This is the return of a police force instead of a police service contrary to our Constitution,'' the opposition said.
The coalition called on the state to open charges against the top police command including IG Koome and Bungei for failing to protect peaceful protesters.
"We also demand that the Director of Public Prosecution bring charges against Koome, Bungei, and their officers for the murders of Rex and the 75,'' Azimio said.
Azimio said despite the publicly recorded crimes, the murders of the 75 victims are yet to be investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice.
"We have not forgotten and we will never forget,'' Azimio said.
Rex's death allegedly from gunshot wounds inflicted on Thursday by a police officer, has triggered uproar.
On Wednesday and Thursday, there were countrywide protests mainly by young people known as Gen Z over overtaxation.
Police fired tear gas and water cannon at protesters near parliament over the last two days as lawmakers were debating the Finance Bill, 2024.
''All Kenyan's lives matter and to our police service just know that one day you will be held accountable for all the lives further,'' Azimio said.
The opposition also demanded that all protestors detained ''illegally by state security agencies be released immediately and unconditionally''.