Japhet Koome, the police Boss sued for 33 deaths
Japhet Koome, the police Boss sued for 33 deaths
In relation to the 2017 post-election police killings in Nairobi, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI), and Khelef Khalifa have filed a lawsuit against Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome. Following widespread demonstrations following Uhuru Kenyatta’s election as president by IEBC’s Wafula Chebukati, the Human Rights Groups have made reference to the 2017 general elections.
The activists claim that Japhet Koome, who was the Nairobi Police Commander at the time, used excessive force in response to protests in Nairobi, resulting in the deaths of 33 individuals.The government pathologist claimed in the appeal that 33 people died from gunshot wounds, some of them were killed in their homes and places of business rather than while participating in protests.
The petitioners have observed that the Independence Police and Oversight Authority (IPOA), which is looking into the killings, was only looking just 15 cases when they attempted to contact it for information.Like IPOA, Koome put off responding until August 15. According to the appeal, Koome refused to provide information on the probe and advised Khalifa to contact IPOA for clarification, the KHRC said in a statement.
After Uhuru Kenyatta’s election as president for the second and final time, protests broke out. The rights organizations have also filed a lawsuit against the Attorney General and the IPOA for their involvement in the investigations into police killings, their failure to do so, and their delays.The petitioners are requesting documentation from the three regarding the deaths and the investigations. Additionally, the petitioners claim that the IPOA, the Attorney General, and IG Koome have a constitutional obligation to look into, file, and publish reports on such crimes.
Additionally, the groups are asking the court to issue conservatory orders mandating the preservation of all the papers and records included in their application.The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), the Independent Medical-Legal Unit (IMLU), and the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) are a few of the interested parties in the case, which will be discussed on September 28.
