Kenya’s Police Chief Resigns Following Criticism Over Protest Crackdown
Kenya’s Inspector-General of Police, Japhet Koome, has resigned amid intense criticism over the handling of recent antigovernment protests that resulted in the deaths of dozens of demonstrators. President William Ruto accepted Koome’s resignation on Friday, a day after dismissing nearly his entire cabinet in response to the escalating crisis.
The antigovernment demonstrations, triggered by unpopular tax hikes, saw significant violence, with the national rights watchdog reporting at least 39 deaths. Protesters accused the police of excessive force, including the use of live ammunition.
Al Jazeera’s Catherine Soi reported from Nairobi, describing Koome’s resignation as “very significant.” She highlighted the public demand for accountability, noting that many protesters had specifically called for Koome to step down due to his handling of the demonstrations.
In response to the crisis, President Ruto appointed Deputy Inspector-General Douglas Kanja as the acting police chief, effective immediately. The presidency’s statement emphasized a commitment to addressing the concerns of the protesters.
President Ruto’s cabinet shake-up saw the dismissal of the attorney general and all cabinet ministers except for Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
This move, while welcomed by some, has not fully appeased the discontented youth who feel betrayed by Ruto’s unfulfilled election promises of job creation and economic improvement.
The protests, initially peaceful, escalated sharply when police fired on crowds that stormed and partly set ablaze the parliament building on June 25. The crackdown left many injured and further fueled public outrage against the government.
Despite these changes, many Kenyans remain skeptical of Ruto’s intentions. “We will be back on the streets until Ruto goes. He has wasted two years in office travelling and telling lies,” stated Hyrence Mwangi, 25, reflecting the sentiments of many young protesters.
The government has attempted to placate the demonstrators by abandoning the finance bill with the contentious tax increases. However, the large-scale street protests have only subsided temporarily, with underlying anger against the government and police persisting.
“When we first went to the streets, Ruto dismissed us as a bunch of hired goons and criminals, only to come later and start saying he will make changes,” Jackson Rotich, 27, told AFP. “We can’t trust him.”
Source: News Agencies
