The National Police Service (NPS) has reacted to a heartbreaking report detailing the struggles of some of the 2007/2008 post-election violence (PEV) victims.
The report, which aired on Sunday, May 8, prime time, indicated that some of the families are still grappling with the loss they incurred 15 years ago while some are yet to get justice from the courts.
Speaking on Citizen TV shortly after the feature aired, Dominic Kisavi, Commissioner of Police and NPS-IEBC Liaison, assured that the Police Service was ready to handle any cases that may arise during and after the exercise.
He noted that all the 47 commanders had been retrained on the matter and were ready to ensure that no life was lost during and after elections.
To prove his point, Kisavi argued that for the first time, a committee involving the NPS, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP), the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and the Judiciary had joined forces to support each other throughout the exercise.
"From where I sit, on behalf of the National Police Service (NPS), we are saying that this should never happen again. We are determined to make sure that it remains in the books of history and that never again shall we lose any life due to election violence.
"I can confidently say that for the first time, the NPS is working in close collaboration with all the stakeholders. I am part of the Security Committee which includes IPOA, NCIC, IEBC, ODPP and Judiciary. We want to work together to support each other," he explained.
He further noted that NPS was assured that no life would be lost due to the introduction of the National Police Service Election Security Manual to guide security around the time.
The post-election violence left over 1,100 people dead, several others injured and hundreds of thousands driven out of their homes.
A mother, Damacrine Marube, recounted losing her child who was shot while playing on the balcony but her case is yet to be concluded.
According to Citizen TV, their efforts to get a response from the ODPP regarding the case were met with silence despite an earlier ruling by the court that there was cover-up in the death of the child.
A representative from the office, however, confirmed to Kenyans.co.ke that the media house had not 'made any inquiries' with them 'at all.'
Two other victims who were featured in the emotional piece sustained severe injuries from fire during the period. Florence Amunga's house was set on fire while she was asleep with her children sustaining burns while Joyce Chepkemoi's face was burned on a charcoal stove.
