Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has instructed the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome to track down the perpetrators of violence during the Azimio la Umoja anti-President William Ruto government demonstrations.
The DPP gave the police chief instructions to look into the claimed deaths, violent crimes, property damage, arson, and theft committed during the protests, among other suspected violations of the Penal Code, Chapter 63, Laws of Kenya.
He also voiced concerns about the police’s failure to apprehend the organizers and financiers of the aforementioned offenses during the demonstrations, noting that they had only apprehended a small number of suspects who had been caught committing the acts while little was known about the real offenders who were enabling them to act.
As a result, Haji gave IG Koome 14 days (2 weeks) to make sure that the orchestrators are identified and that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions receives their identities (ODPP).
“Whereas some suspects have been arrested and charged in court for various offences, we have noted that the persons culpable for planning, inciting, instigating, and/or financing the commission of the aforementioned offences have not been investigated.
“Consequently, pursuant to Article 157 (4) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, you are hereby directed to undertake comprehensive investigations into the aforementioned offences and all persons responsible for planning, inciting, instigating, and/or financing the commission of any offence and submit the investigation file within fourteen (14) days of the date hereof,” the statement read in part.
The DPP additionally cautioned Kenyans from promoting or inciting ethnic animosity on social media.
He promised to address instances that violated Article 33(2) of the 2010 Kenyan Constitution, the National Cohesion and Integration Act from 2008, and the 2018 Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.
“The ODPP reaffirms its commitment to uphold the rule of law and respect for human rights in the discharge of its mandate, and any person found culpable for the commission of any offence shall be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.,” he added.
Meanwhile, leaders allied to the Azimio la Umoja coalition demanded answers from security agencies regarding the Northlands and East African Spectre attack on Tuesday, March 28.
