Mixed Reactions as Police Officer Calls for Lynching of Suspects

General Service Unit (GSU) officers boarding a patrol vehicle.
General Service Unit (GSU) officers boarding a patrol vehicle on March 2, 2018.
Photo
National Police Service

Kenyans were torn by the utterances of a police officer who called for extreme measures when dealing with suspects in acts of crime.

Speaking in a church, the unidentified police officer claimed that the Constitution contained clauses that allowed suspects to be lynched.

He further argued that it was unfair for several individuals in society to terrorise the majority

"If three per cent is disturbing the population, we eliminate the three per cent to save the 97 per cent," he stated in a video shared widely, on Friday, November 11. 

File photo of thugs caught on CCTV camera attacking a motorist in Nairobi
File photo of thugs caught on CCTV camera attacking a motorist in Nairobi.
File

The police officer defended his claim by quoting Article 24, which stipulates the limitation of human rights, and Article 51 of the UN Charter.

"Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defense if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security," reads part of Article 51 of the UN Charter.

In the video shared online, several Kenyans argued that criminals should be dealt with ruthlessly to discourage crime. 

Others lauded him for siding with the Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, who vowed to deal with bandits to protect the majority of Kenyans. 

On the other hand, some called for the arrest of the police officer, noting he misquoted the Constitution and that no one was above the law. 

President William Ruto, while disbanding the Special Service Unit (SSU) drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), argued that its cops were behind several kidnapping and extra-judicial cases. 

Human rights activists concurred with the President, with the Missing Voices indicating that nearly 101 people were killed by the police in the period between January and October 2022. 

Missing Voices further urged the President to look into 600 more cases linked to the rogue cops. Police same, like the public, were urged to refrain from taking matters into their own hands. 

According to the National Police Service Act, there are special occasions when a police officer is allowed to shoot to disarm or terminate a suspect. A firearm may be used to save or protect the officer's or another person's life.

Additionally, a firearm may be used for self-defence against imminent life-threatening danger; however, it should not be used against children.

Inspector General Japhet Koome taking oath at the Supreme Court on Friday, November 11, 2022
Inspector General Japhet Koome taking oath at the Supreme Court on Friday, November 11, 2022
Twitter
Zakheem Rajan

Notably, on Friday, November 11, Inspector General Japhet Koome amplified the sentiments by revisiting the instances when a police officer can use a firearm on a suspect.

"Any thug who thinks they can walk around armed with a knife or gun with the intention of harming the public, the police will deal with them as dictated by law," Koome stated.

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