Police IG responds over ICC threat by Azimio
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Police IG Japheth Koome says won't be intimidated by Azimio’s letter to the International Criminal Court (ICC)
Police IG Japheth Koome says won’t be intimidated by Azimio’s letter to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Police officers should not be scared by Azimio’s letter to the ICC that was sent on Friday, according to Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome.
Even though Azimio ordered the court’s prosecutor to look into allegations that the National Police Service violated human rights during recent rallies, Koome urged his officers to carry out their duty without fear.
“I want to tell members of the National Police Service, do not be intimidated by the letter. Serve our country, the Kenyan people, and foreign visitors without fear,” he said.
Speaking at his residence in Kangundo, Koome said police officers took an oath to serve the country without fear or favour.
“We do not have another country to serve but Kenya. Kazi yetu tutaifanya (we will do our job),” he added.
His comments come after remarks by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that the government would protect Koome from intimidation by the Opposition.
Speaking on Saturday in Nyandarua County, Gachagua charged the opposition with attempting to intimidate and harass Koome for carrying out his duties.
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On Friday, Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition filed a letter to the ICC prosecutor’s office requesting inquiries into Kenya’s political situation.
Identifying Koome as the primary offender, Azimio has recorded what it claims to be crimes perpetrated by the state during the demonstrations.
Azimio charges Koome with eight significant offences in the letter.
According to the coalition, the police IG created a special squad of misbehaving police officers to terrorize its supporters during the demonstrations.
“The squads are reported to be dressed in plain clothes, to operate outside the normal command structure, and to take direction directly from select commanders appointed for that purpose by Japheth Koome,” Azimio said.
In addition, the alliance claimed that Koome had illegally and unconstitutionally banned the demos, violating the members’ fundamental rights.
Azimio further stated that the police IG had threatened its members with bodily harm and death if they attempted to exercise the aforementioned rights.
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