Koome: Tough engineer finally felled by Gen Zs

Ex-police IG Japhet Koome. [File, Standard] Inspector General Japhet Koome's exiting office was just a matter of when and not if following Gen Z protests with demands of better governance and more accountability in government. Following the Gen Z protests, Koome was a man under siege over his handling of the situation and subsequent studious silence from his office. His officers were accused of using excessive force in protestors resulting in preventable deaths and injuries had caution and restraint prevailed. A report a few days ago by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) indicated that 39 protestors died, 361 were injured, 627 were arrested and 32 were abducted. Most of the deaths have been attributed to police brutality after victims succumbed to bullet wounds, and there is suspicion that the abductions, though the government led by President William Ruto deny, are being carried out by security agents. In light of police actions, Koome was a man in the spotlight with pressure mounting for him to be removed from the position for allowing his officers to act contrary to the law that calls for the protection of life and property. But this was not the first time Koome was attracting censure. He attracted the wrath of Azimio leaders last year when supporters took to the streets over the high cost of living. It was claimed that under Koome's instructions, several protestors were shot dead and the matter is active in court. Further, Azimio through lawyer Paul Mwangi, wrote to International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor Karim Khan asking the court to take action against the police chief for allegedly committing crimes against humanity and carrying out indiscriminate arrests of demonstrators. Mwangi accused Koome of establishing a special squad whose job was to carry out systematic attacks on protesters. "The squads are reported to be dressed in plain clothes, to operate outside the normal command structure and to take direction directly from select commanders appointed for that purpose, by Japheth Koome." Koome responded maintaining he would not be cowed as he serves without fear. "I am telling you and all my officers in the National Police Service that I will not be intimidated by the letter to ICC by the opposition," he said. Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) and human rights activist Khelef Khalifa sued Koome in 2018 for 33 deaths in Nairobi when he was the county commander police boss. The petitioners wanted action taken against him for employing brutal and deadly force to quell dissent. Before his resignation, former police officer turned security analyst George Musamali had on Thursday accused Koome of lacking control of the police and allowing external forces to interfere with operations of the service. "He is simply incompetent and become the puppet of the executive despite the IG's office being independent. It is clear from police conduct during the Gen Z protests, armed individuals were allowed to shoot at protestors. The question Koome must answer is who allowed such individuals and from whom were they getting orders," stated Musamali. He said it was a mistake to amend the National Police Service Act, which strip off National Police Service Commission (NPSC) powers over the IG. This was achieved through deletion of the sub-section 22 (2) of the Service Act to allow the IG of Police to get advice from the Cabinet Secretary as opposed to from NPSC. "In this country, we make good laws then mutilate them to suit the interests of the political elites, and those who spearheaded the amendment of the Act are sitting pretty in government as our country burns," said Musamali. For days before he quit, Koome who is a trained engineer faced a backlash from political leaders and human rights groups calling for his immediate sacking for failing to protect life and property. Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, senators Bonny Khalwale of Kakamega, Enock Wambua (Kitui) and Nandi's Samson Cherargei are among the politicians who wanted Koome fired. Speaking at the KICC when President Ruto assented to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Bill, 2024, they told the President to ask Koome to resign and take responsibility for the deaths of Kenyans who lost their lives because they were exercising their constitutional rights to peaceably assemble, demonstrate and picket. "Talking about incompetence and lack of capacity, the Inspector General of Police is the embodiment of lack of capacity to lead the Kenya Police Service. Mr Koome must leave office immediately for this country to enjoy peace and tranquillity," said Wambua. After graduating from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering, Koome was enlisted in 1991 as a Police Constable. His first posting was in Nairobi before he was deployed to the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) in Gilgil. Koome would soon be promoted to Inspector of Police before again rising to the rank of Superintendent of Police. His first senior role was in Buruburu, Nairobi, where he was deployed as OCPD, a title that has since changed to Sub-County Police Commander. Koome has worked in several stations including Director of Planning at Vigilance House for 10 years before becoming Nairobi Provincial Police Officer (PPO) where he was accused of using excessive force against Azimio supporters. He was the principal assistant to former Deputy Inspector General Edward Mbugua. Koome would later move to National Police College Main Campus-Kiganjo where he served as Commandant before being appointed IG in October 2022.

Koome: Tough engineer finally felled by Gen Zs

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