- PS Korir Sing’Oei sparks outrage with post comparing Kenya to the Netherlands
- Cited Dutch police stats to defend local law enforcement
- Kenyans accuse him of ignoring pain of victims and shielding brutality
- Remarks come amid national grief over recent police killings
- Public demand grows for accountability—not foreign comparisons
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei is at the centre of public backlash after sharing a post many Kenyans say downplays the escalating police brutality in the country. In his now-viral statement posted on Thursday, June 19, Sing’Oei referenced an article stating that Dutch police used force 36,000 times in 2024, including firing 13 bullets.
His caption read:
“For those imagining Kenyan police are the only ones struggling with the scope of the use of force…”
Those words have since sparked fury, with many saying he chose deflection over responsibility.
Kenyans Say ‘We’re Not the Dutch’
Social media erupted as users challenged the PS for attempting to compare Kenya’s crisis with a country where law enforcement faces genuine accountability.
“You want to compare when it suits you! Try comparing their global diplomacy to ours,” one user fired back.
“That’s Dutch, this is Kenya. We’re burying citizens. Why minimize that?” another responded.
Many felt Sing’Oei’s remarks showed a lack of empathy, especially when the country is still mourning lives lost at the hands of police.
The timing of his comments couldn’t have been worse. Kenya is yet to recover from the tragic death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody and the brutal shooting of hawker Boniface Mwangi in Nairobi’s CBD—both cases captured on video.
Rather than acknowledge the nation’s pain, Sing’Oei’s remarks came off as dismissive, triggering even more anger among citizens.
Citizens Want Accountability, Not Excuses
As outrage mounts, Kenyans are making one thing clear: this is not the time for global comparisons or justifications. It’s a time for leaders to own up and act.
“We don’t need spin. We need justice,” one user posted.
And as some have put it—silence or action would have gone further than defensive tweets.
In a country where trust in the police is already shaken, PS Sing’Oei’s attempt to shift the focus has only widened the divide between the public and those in power.
