Azimio la Umoja convoy blocked by anti-riot police officers at Serena Hotel in Nairobi on Monday, March 20, 2023.
Photo
Raila Odinga
Kathiani Member of Parliament Robert Mbui, for the first time on Tuesday, April 18, revealed an ugly encounter with law enforcement that left him with a broken leg during demonstrations in Nairobi.
While appearing on Citizen TV, the Wiper Party-affiliated MP noted that the force from the police meted against the protesters was too harsh
The MP was responding to Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome who he claimed urged his juniors in the National Police Service not to be intimidated by threats from Azimio la Umoja leaders
Angered by Koome's abrasive dismissal of Azimio la Umoja's quest to have the IG tried at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for crimes against humanity, Mbui accused Koome of his predicament.
Kathiani Member of Parliament (MP) Robert Mbui during a function at his constituency on November 6, 2023.
PhotoRobert Mbui
The MP claimed that he was targeted by anti-riot police officers who were well-coordinated to cause maximum injuries and destruction of property.
"I am a victim of police violence. Japhet Koome was the Nairobi Region Commander when the police attacked us unprovoked," he stated.
The lawmaker further accused the police officers of allegedly moving into his car and intentionally assaulting him.
"The police broke our car windows, shot tear gas canisters into our vehicles and used the strong water cannons to remove the windscreen of my vehicle.
"The police finally proceeded to break my leg while we were in the protest," the MP revealed.
The MP, however, confirmed that he had recovered since the incident took place but maintained that the IG's remarks were likely to lead to increased violence.
On Sunday, April 16, IG Koome had asked police officers to firmly deal with protesters noting that no one should be threatened with court cases.
"As the National Police Service, we are not intimidated at all by Azimio la Umoja's letter to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
"I, therefore, wish to request members of the National Police Service not to be intimidated at all by the letters to ICC," the IG directed
His remarks were in response to a letter Azimio wrote to the ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan, asking him to review the political situation in Kenya, with reference to police brutality.
Azimio la Umoja Leader Raila Odonga's Chief Legal Advisor, Paul Mwangi, who wrote the letter noted that police had used excessive force leading to a number of deaths.
Mwangi also claimed that police had targeted journalists, some of who were savagely maimed during the protests.
The Azimio la Umoja coalition, as a result, demanded Koome be personally held responsible for the brutal force with which the police handled protesters.
The coalition also attempted to retrace Koome's past experiences when he served as the Nairobi Regional Commander until 2018 before he was promoted to the position of Principal Deputy to the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police, Edward Mbugua.
As the Nairobi Regional Commander in 2017, Koome had to deal with National Super Alliance (NASA) protesters who were demanding changes at the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
NASA protests culminated in post-election protests during which a number of people lost their lives.
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome during a meeting in Nyeri County on Friday, April 14, 2023
Photo/PCS
