US Ambassador Robert Godec has sent out an urgent message to the Inspector General of Police Joseph Kipchirchir Boinett aking the police to safeguard human rights and life.
According to the outgoing US envoy, Kenyan security forces must exercise maximum restraint when dealing with the public.
While noting that human rights abuses by police are not limited to Kenya, Godec opined that "What’s important is when there is a report of police abuse, it should be thoroughly and independently investigated."
[caption caption="Outgoing US Ambassador Robert Godec"]
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"when law enforcement officers, whether they are superiors or not, have perpetrated a crime, they should face justice," Godec stated.
"No one is above the law. No one should protect an individual who has committed abuses just because that person wears a uniform.
Speaking during the launch of a Ksh650 million US-funded public complaints platform, Godec stated: "Everyone has the duty to uphold human rights and to ensure the rule of law prevails."
The project is a culmination of joint efforts between US and the Kenyan government in coordination with the Independent Police Oversight Authority (Ipoa).
"Kenya is up to the challenge of holding security services to account, of being self-critical and looking at problems to fix them," he added
He further expressed his contentment with Ipoa and its efforts to investigate and to bring cases to court allegations against police using excessive force.
[caption caption="File image of US Ambassador Robert Godec with DP Ruto"]
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"The very existence of Ipoa is emblematic of the profound social change Kenya is undergoing, the values enshrined in its Constitution and the culture of accountability and integrity that Kenya is striving to adopt," Godec concluded.
