Koome accuses Azimio of 'renting bodies' during demos

By Peter Ochieng

Inspector General (IG) of police Japhet Koome has added a fresh twist to police brutality during Azimio demos last month.

Koome denied the allegations, stating that police officers always discharge their mandate in a proffessional manner.

Speaking on Tuesday during a visit to Kiganjo Police Station in Nyeri county on Tuesday, the IG said police are great defenders and protectors of human rights.

He castigated Azimio politicians for what he termed as 'renting bodies to whip emotions.'

"I want to say that our officers are great protectors of human rights. We have intelligence that these politicians are hiring bodies from morgues and taking pictures which are circulated through social."

"This is aimed at demoralizing our officers and also portraying my officers in bad light in the international arena," he added.

The police boss sentiments came on the backdrop of claims by Azimio politicians against police for using excessive force to quell anti-government protests.

Last month, Homabay Town Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Opondo Kaluma, in his social media pages published a wide range of photos of people who had reportedly been killed by police officers.

"Kenya police raided Nyalenda Estate in Kisumu in the night of 7th July, 2023, pulled these citizens from their houses, brutalized and shot dead 18 of them and left several injured,” claimed Kaluma.

“These are bodies of 11 lying at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital," he added.

Koome said police officers will continue to protect lives and property incase of future demos.