Former National Police Service (NPS) Spokesperson Charles Owino and the current chair of Kenya Institute of Mass Communication (KIMC) Council has revealed why the police used live bullets ans killed some protesters.
Defending the use of live bullets, Owino stated that some protesters were shot because of the escalation of the situation leading to the destruction of property, especially critical infrastructure.
According to the former Police Boss, the police had exhausted all the options that they are trained to do and they had to kill some protesters to control the situation that was quickly getting out of hand.
“We were trained to begin with a proclamation, asking those gathered to disperse immediately. If they refuse, then teargas is used. If they still resist, teargas and batons are employed to disperse them. But now when property is being destroyed. What do you do? Those are the times you use your firearms.”
However, Owino said that rubber bullets will not stop protests and the police should be given orders to shoot in what he termed as “powers to bite.” Will rubber bullets stop them? We need to face reality. We must give police power to bite.”
Revealing why some protesters were shot and killed during the protests, the former spokesman said that it was part of training and that’s what they are trained to do in situations like these.
“When we were being taught that if necessary, target the ringleader. If the situation is so bad, you are told, ‘That tall person in the red cap,’ aim and fire. Those are the procedures and it happens. So what we are saying is you limit casualties as much as possible.”
