Police Inspector General Japhet Koome is facing a legal battle as he has been sued over police killings that occurred during the 2017 General Elections. These incidents took place when he was serving as the Nairobi Police Commander, and they have raised questions about the use of excessive force by law enforcement officials during the contentious election period.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), along with Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) and Khelef Khalifa, has initiated legal proceedings against Koome. Their primary objective is to launch a thorough investigation into the actions of police officers who allegedly employed brutal and deadly force to suppress dissent, leading to the tragic deaths of 33 individuals in Nairobi.
The chaos erupted during the aftermath of President Uhuru Kenyatta’s victory, which was contested by the opposition. The ensuing protests and clashes with law enforcement escalated to a point where lethal force was employed.
The petition filed against Koome and other relevant authorities highlights the fact that government pathologists have confirmed that the deceased individuals succumbed to gunshot wounds. However, the suit further contends that not all of the victims were present on the streets during the unrest; tragically, some lost their lives in the sanctity of their own homes and businesses.
The petitioners have expressed their frustration over their previous attempts to obtain investigation records related to the killings. These requests were reportedly ignored, leading them to seek legal recourse to compel the release of these critical documents.
In one instance, on January 24, 2023, the petitioners sent a letter to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), seeking information about the authority’s actions regarding the killings. Unfortunately, IPOA’s response was significantly delayed.
“IPOA delayed its response until April 12, when they replied that they were investigating only 15 cases out of the 33,” the petitioners stated, raising concerns about transparency and accountability in the investigations.
Both IPOA and the Attorney-General (AG) have been included as co-defendants in the lawsuit alongside Japhet Koome. The lawsuit alleges a lack of transparency and urgency in addressing the grave matter of police brutality during the 2017 General Elections.
Khelef Khalifa, one of the petitioners, disclosed that he had personally written to Koome on July 26, 2023, inquiring about the progress of the investigation into the remaining 18 individuals’ deaths. However, Khalifa’s request for information was met with delays, as he did not receive a response until August 15.
Koome’s response reportedly declined to provide detailed information about the ongoing investigation and instead redirected Khalifa to seek answers from IPOA, further fueling concerns about the transparency and responsiveness of the investigative process.
The petitioners are now turning to the legal system in their quest for justice and accountability. They hope that the court process will compel the relevant authorities to release the investigation report, shedding light on the circumstances surrounding the 2017 election-related killings and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.
This lawsuit serves as a significant step toward addressing the long-standing issues of police brutality and impunity in Kenya’s electoral history.
