Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome has resigned following intense criticism over the conduct of officers during recent antigovernment demonstrations in Kenya. The protests, which saw dozens of protesters killed, have led to widespread condemnation of the police force's actions.
The presidency announced on Friday that President William Ruto accepted Koome's resignation. Koome had served as the Inspector-General of Police since November 2022. Deputy Inspector-General Douglas Kanja has been appointed as the acting police chief with immediate effect.
This resignation comes just a day after President Ruto dismissed nearly his entire cabinet in response to the demands of protesters. The protests, sparked by unpopular tax hikes and economic hardship, have posed the most serious challenge to Ruto’s nearly two-year presidency.
Kenya's national rights watchdog reported that at least 39 people were killed during the antigovernment protests. The demonstrators had called for Koome’s resignation, accusing the police of using excessive force, including live bullets, to disperse crowds. Many protesters were hospitalized with gunshot wounds, and numerous fatalities were reported.
"This is what these young protesters and many other Kenyans have been asking for," said a local observer. "They were asking for the police chief to resign because of how he handled those protests. It wasn’t just tear gas the police were using, it was also live bullets. Some people are still in hospital because they were shot. Many others died because of the shooting."
In an effort to quell the unrest, President Ruto has taken a series of measures, including abandoning the finance bill that contained the deeply unpopular tax increases which initially triggered the protests. Despite these moves, frustration remains high among young Kenyans who feel Ruto has not delivered on his promises to create jobs and improve living conditions since his election in 2022.
“We will be back on the streets until Ruto goes. He has wasted two years in office travelling and telling lies,” said Hyrence Mwangi, a 25-year-old protester.
The government's response to the protests and the subsequent resignation of Koome highlight the deep-seated issues within Kenya’s political and economic landscape. As the nation moves forward, the focus will be on how the administration addresses the demands of its citizens and ensures accountability within its ranks.
Glide News will continue to provide updates as this story develops.
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