By Ebi Kesiena
Following sharp criticism over his handling of anti-government protests that left dozens of people dead, Kenya’s police chief, Japheth Koome, resigned on Friday the Presidency said.
Recall that Kenya had experienced weeks of violent protests over a now-shelved finance bill, which resulted in the death of at least 39 people.
Kenya experienced widespread protests in June, with subsequent crackdowns leading to fatalities and allegations of extrajudicial killings.
The outgoing inspector general faced intense scrutiny, with rights groups and citizens demanding his resignation due to the rising incidents of abductions, killings, and torture, primarily targeting protesters.
Public outrage intensified following the discovery of nine dismembered bodies at a dumpsite in Nairobi’s Mukuru slums on Friday but the identities of the victims remain unknown.
Koome’s resignation follows President Ruto’s dismissal of most of his cabinet members under pressure from the protest movement against the finance bill, which proposed tax increases. Although Ruto withdrew the bill, the action did not appease the protesters, who continue to demand his resignation.
Meanwhile, President William Ruto’s office has announced the appointment of Deputy Inspector General Douglas Kanja as the acting head of the police force.
