The Ministry of Interior and National Administration on Tuesday recommended that President William Ruto establish the Office of the Coroner General.
According to the ministry’s statement, the office will conduct investigations into the deaths moreso the ones witnessed in the past few weeks following a sustained wave of protests in the country.
A coroner is a government or judicial official who is empowered to conduct or order an inquest into the manner or cause of death.
“The Ministry of Interior has recommended to His Excellency, the President, to initiate the process of establishing the Coroner General's Office as per the National Coroners Service Act 2017 to investigate deaths, including those resulting from police action.”
The Coroner General's Office will also ensure accountability and transparency in cases of suspicious deaths.
According to the ministry, in light of the ongoing protests, the security enforcement agencies had been under instruction to exercise restraint except in specific instances.
“The police can indeed be compelled to use reasonable force when isolated and specific scenarios of protests escalate to criminalities including rioting, looting and burning of properties, disruption of traffic through the erection of roadblocks on major highways and invasion of critical and protected infrastructure,” read the statement.
More security personnel were also deployed in hotspots and areas where security for critical infrastructure is prioritized.
However, the ministry urged protest organisers to notify the relevant authorities of planned protests and to exercise restraint during demonstrations.
“We remain on high alert concerning the insecurity posed by protest infiltrations and the cases of violence and disruption of public order. A National Multi-Agency Command to coordinate the security operations has been established”.
The Ministry further stated that criminals camouflaging as protestors would be dealt with firmly in accordance with the law.
Additionally, the ministry committed to continue pursuing criminals accused of current and past infractions.
