Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja in a past police briefing// Photo Courtesy
The National Police Service has joined the line in making things straight following remarks made by the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) concerning increased abductions, torture and extra-judicial killings in the country.
Through the Inspector General of the Police, Douglas Kanja, the police has issued a statement stating that following the public demonstrations that were witnessed in the country from June 18 to July 2024 against the proposed Finance Bill 2024, the country suffered massive losses ranging from death to destruction of property and livelihoods.
“NPS recorded 495 injuries to police officers, 347 injuries to civilians, 42 civilian fatalities, and 69 cases of serious damage to Government vehicles,” read part of the statement.
Additionally, during the period, the police recorded cases of missing Kenyans and arrests of demonstrators.
“There were 57 reported cases of missing persons, of which 22 were found alive, 6 found dead while 29 are still unaccounted for and serious efforts by police are underway to trace them. During the protests, NPS made 1552 arrests countrywide,” the statement noted.
Concerning outcry in femicide deaths in the country, Douglas Kanja went further unearthing that 97 women have lost their lives in the past three months. He, however, clarified that most of the cases have been adequately investigated and people involved arraigned in courts.
” In response to the current prevalent murder of women witnessed in the country, the National Police Service have recorded 97 deaths in the past three months. In most of the cases reported, we have effectively investigated, identified the culprits and arraigned them before court,” he noted.
In addition to this, he also said that a specialised Missing Persons Unit has been established in the DCI to deal with such cases as well as having Gender Desks in police stations countrywide which have been swift to responses of gender-based violence.
The IG also stated that police officers who have been dragged in deaths of Kenyans have been sent to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) in collaboration with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for questioning and investigations.
“All cases of deaths where police officers were implicated have been taken over by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and we are collaborating with IPOA and DPP in these investigations,” read the statement.
The Police Service added that all cases of abductions are being investigated by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and they are making good progress in the investigations.
The IG took the opportunity to reassure the general public that the police force has heightened the security in all parts of the country and continue appealing to members of public to collaborate with them by sharing any vital information that may aid in the investigations.
“The National Police Service reiterates its commitment to serve and protect all persons in the country,” concluded the statement.
