publish time

13/07/2024

author name Arab Times

publish time

13/07/2024

The new Inspector General of the Police of Kenya, Japheth Koome Nchebere, speaks in Nairobi on March 26, 2023. (AP)

NAIROBI, Kenya, July 13, (AP): Kenya’s police boss resigned Friday, the latest attempt by the country's president to respond to growing concerns of police brutality in response to protests triggered by a proposed tax hike.
Protesters stormed parliament on June 25 after a bill was passed that proposed tax increases, forcing lawmakers to flee through an underground tunnel. Police responded by opening fire on protesters in the streets. The protests have morphed into calls for President William Ruto to resign.
Ruto has sought to respond to the social outcry with a series of steps. He withdrew the tax hike proposal and on Thursday he followed up by dismissing almost all of his Cabinet ministers. He vowed to form a new government that will be lean and efficient.
In his latest move Friday, Ruto accepted the resignation of inspector general Japhet Koome. The presidential office said the deputy, Douglas Kanja, would step in as acting inspector general.
The social unrest has played out in a country generally viewed as a regional leader in Africa due to its size and political stability, and which is a key ally of Western countries in the counterterrorism fight and other issues. Underlining its international role, 400 Kenyan police landed in violence-hit Haiti in recent weeks to lead a UN-backed multinational force. Underlying Kenya's stature, President Joe Biden honored Ruto with a state dinner at the White House in May.
Human rights groups have accused Kenyan police of carrying out abductions and illegal detentions as they crack down on the recent protests. Some of the victims have been released and an independent policing oversight body has asked them to record statements that will help in a probe on police conduct.