The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has slammed Inspector General of police Japhet Koome over his shoot-to-kill remarks on suspected criminals.
In a statement shared on Saturday, December 17, 2022, the authority's chairperson Anne Makori, stated that the directives by Koome do not confine with the law.
"Our attention is drawn to the unfortunate and dangerous statement attributed to the Inspector General of Police Eng. Japhet Koome yesterday where he gave police officers a shoot-to-kill order against suspected criminals,
"For the 10 years the Authority has been in existence, rightfully, it has been busy, ultimately to ensure that Kenyans have confidence in the men and women in uniform – the police – in whom they entrust their lives and property on a daily basis. In this period, the impact of IPOA on policing has been significant," the statement reads in parts.
Additionally, Makori stated that many officers have acted within the law stating that out of the more than 20,000 complaints that the authority has received against the National Police Service (NPS) less than 500 have been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) with the recommendation to charge.
"In all, the Authority wishes to remind police officers where criminal culpability has been established, that is after investigations, it is individuals who have been called to account: not the Service, not a Unit and it is expected that there will be compliance with the Sixth Schedule, Part C on specific responsibilities of superior officers from issuing unlawful orders," Makori added.
"Lastly, IPOA reiterates its respect for the Constitutional mandate and role of all agencies in the justice system and will not be drawn to comment on matters in Court as that would amount to sub-judice. IPOA remains impartial and committed to its mandate,"
Koome vs IPOA
Earlier, IG Koome stated that officers should not be injured by criminals yet they were issued with guns
"Let me reiterate that the nature of police work is not only dangerous. We're aware its dangerous and we are not afraid. I said we are not afraid. Those criminals out there, we are telling them that we are not afraid. That is why we ask our officers, that gun has been given to you. We don't want to hear that you're hurt, you're cut by a criminal and you have a gun," he stated.
Koome also told off the oversight Authority for criticizing their roles. He stated that IPOA was only investigating mistakes made by officers but not officers killed while discharging their duties.
"Don't be threatened by several busybodies who keep saying arrest the police. Today we are crying here, I don't see them. Where are they? It's out there that they keep asking to arrest an officer. The other day they asked us to arrest 12 police officers, did we arrest them? Officers who were in danger were being shot at using arrows," he stated.
"Now, the officers were on duty escorting money to the central bank and found the road blocked and were being shot at using arrows and they have guns. Man, why is that gun a pen to start writing with? Should the officer allow to be killed by an arrow and he has a gun?" Koome posed.
