The National Police Service (NPS) on Tuesday, March 21, confirmed that a total of 31 police officers were injured during the Azimio mass protests in Nyanza region and Nairobi.
According to the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome, 24 officers were injured in Nairobi while the other seven were from Nyanza. Destruction of property was also recorded as well as the death of one protestor in Maseno.
Koome stated that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had launched investigations into the circumstances under which the police officers were injured.
"We, therefore, condemn in the strongest terms possible, the unwarranted violence that was meted against our Officers discharging their official duties.
"We wish to inform the public that during yesterday's demonstrations, we arrested 25 people, while 7 Officers were injured in Nyanza; while in Nairobi, 10 Police Vehicles were damaged, 24 Officers injured while persons arrested were 213," read the statement in part.
In Kisumu, protesters engaged police officers in running battles when the two camps retreated and shared lunch.
In Nairobi, most of the police officers were injured along Outering Road where protesters had barricaded the road with stones and burning tyres.
Among the people who were injured along Outering Road are Embakasi police boss James Makau and his junior colleagues.
The police lamented that organisers of the demonstration pretended to be peaceful before attacking the officers who stood guard around critical installations.
"The purported to be a peaceful demonstration turned into violent crime scenes with protestors engaging in running battles with, and stone-throwing at the anti-riot police officers, barricading roads thus hindering freedom of movement for law-abiding citizens," Koome stated.
The Inspector General of Police noted that his officers remain calm and professional despite outright provocation that was stagged by the Azimio La Umoja supporters.
"In particular, Officers used force gradually beginning with the lowest threshold which is show-off force and barely reinforced by water cannons and lobbying teargas canisters to prevent the protestors from accessing central business districts of Nairobi and Kisumu, as well as protected areas, to prevent further damage," Koome noted.
He, however, regretted that even after officers restrained themselves, acted within the law, and effectively contained the situation, rioters invaded Maseno Police Station.
As a result, IG Koome noted that property was destroyed and in the process, one male student from Maseno University was killed by the officers.
"In compliance with the Constitution and the National Police Service Act of 2011, we have commenced our Investigations into the matter.
"In addition, we remain open to external scrutiny by independent constitutional agencies as we strive to promote and practice transparency and accountability within the Police. We want to remind members of the public that no one is above the law," Koome stated.
