Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o, on Friday, July 21, responded to viral videos depicting police officers assaulting residents within their local homes.
According to the governor, while the primary responsibility of the police is to maintain order, it was disheartening to witness them invade homes and subject innocent citizens to brutal treatment.
"Even after stopping members of the public from exercising their democratic rights to picket over the high cost of living imposed by the Kenya Kwanza government, the police armed with all manner of weapons are pursuing innocent residents deep into the residential areas and brutalizing them," the governor complained.
He added that residents of Nyalenda, Manyatta, Obunga, and Bandani bore the brunt of police brutality. The unlawful operation also unjustly targeted vulnerable groups like the boda boda riders.
Nyong'o complained that some of the victims assaulted by the police in their residential homes did not participate in the anti-government protests.
The county boss called upon Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the cases and ensure those responsible are apprehended.
He emphasised that the residents of Kisumu did not deserve the type of brutality meted out by the police officers.
"I appeal to the people of Kisumu to remain vigilant and expose those taking advantage of the protests to destroy property because we had agreed to conduct peaceful demonstrations," he added.
In the videos doing rounds online, police officers armed with batons were captured assaulting the residents outside their homes.
In one instance, the police were seen going after a resident who was seeking safety in a mud house. The officers pulled him out and hit him while he was on the ground, asking him to caution protesters from taking to the streets.
Various human rights groups, including the International Justice Mission (IJM), condemned police brutality and asked the officers to apply restraint.
They tasked the National Police Service (NPS) to ensure those found guilty are held accountable.
