President William Ruto promised he would personally follow up on action against a supposed rogue police officer filmed terrorising anti-finance bill protesters in Nairobi
Kenyan netizens traced the plain-clothes officer and identified him allegedly as Ndumba Murangiri; he was accused of killing Rex Masai, the first casualty of the protests
Ruto, while engaging Kenyans via X, said he would see to it that the officer is brought to book and held culpable if the accusations in his name were substantiated
Nairobi: President William Ruto has sworn to deal with the armed law enforcers who allegedly perpetrated atrocities on peaceful anti-finance bill protesters.
The matter of a supposedly notorious police officer was brought to the president’s attention as he engaged Kenyans in a packed X space on Friday, July 5.
The matter of a supposedly notorious police officer was brought to the president’s attention as he engaged Kenyans in a packed X space on Friday, July 5.
What action did Ruto promise to take on rogue cop?
Ruto was told that the officer, apparently named Ndumba Murangiri, was roaming freely in public despite there being footage and snaps of him opening fire at protesters unprovoked.
He was further accused of killing Rex Masai, the first casualty of the protests. The X users put Ruto to task over the matter while decrying alleged lenience on the side of the state investigators.
In his response, the president promised to sanction the officer’s pursuit as soon as the details about him were presented. He asked those with the details to serve them to him to aid in bringing the said cop to justice.
“That is something I would want to get the exact details of who this is, and I can tell you we will apprehend and deal with him in accordance with the law,” said Ruto.
“Please forward the pictures to me or Hussein and also I would appreciate if you can send to my inbox or if you can send it to the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA),” he added.
The said officer was captured in a clip launching teargas at journalists before boarding a police vehicle.
Ruto’s pronouncement on X came a day after his Cabinet lauded the police for ‘professionally’ handling protesters.
The Executive argued that the law enforcers were taking on anarchists, who supposedly posed a threat to Parliament, the Supreme Court and other infrastructure.
The members called for action against those who perpetrated arson and robbery and looted business enterprises in the heat of the mass action.
The Cabinet said that officers who acted outside the law would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
A report by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) indicates that as of Monday, July 1, over 40 deaths and 361 injuries resulted from the protests.
Deaths reported from anti-finance bill protests
The dead are from Nairobi (17), Nakuru (3), Laikipia (1), Narok (1), Kajiado (3), Uasin Gishu (4), Kakamega (1), Kisumu (2), Kisii (1), Mombasa (3), Siaya (1), Kiambu (1), and Nandi (1).
The commission also documented 32 cases of abductions and 627 incidents of arbitrary arrests.
It further said that the state security forces used excessive force against protesters, medical personnel and journalists.
It, however, did not disregard the damage caused to government properties such as the National Library and Parliament buildings.
