Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has condemned a recent incident in Nakuru where a protestor was captured on video brandishing a panga at police officers.
Speaking on Friday, June 13, Murkomen highlighted the importance of upholding law and order, urging citizens to respect law enforcement personnel.
The CS further expressed dismay at the fact that some citizens, particularly on social media, appeared to support the violent act.
“I request the citizens to respect the authority of the police because without it there is anarchy. I saw one citizen in Nakuru, when the police were trying to bring calm, he was carrying a panga; attacking a police officer and yet you will find some citizens cheering him,” he said.
Despite the provocation, Murkomen commended the conduct of the police officers involved, praising their restraint in the face of potential harm.
“I really want to thank the police officers who have restrained themselves in such situations,” he added.
The widely shared video shows a man confronting police officers while holding a panga, as the officers attempted to disperse crowds and restore calm.
In a viral clip that surfaced online, a man in London Estate, Nakuru, was seen wielding a panga towards police officers during protests.
The man could be seen seemingly threatening to attack the officers with the panga.
In response, an officer was seen lobbing a tear gas canister towards him in an attempt to thwart the man.
However, the man remained unfazed and went ahead to even ‘sharpen’ the panga on the road.
He continued to charge towards them, shouting endeni huko (go away) as the officers retreated.
The youth was among the charged protestors who took to the streets in Nakuru, demonstrating against the fatal shooting of 35-year-old Duncan Nderitu, reportedly by a police officer.
Reports revealed that Nderitu was killed during an altercation when police attempted to arrest a suspected drug peddler in the area. The confrontation reportedly turned chaotic as residents confronted the officers, prompting them to fire in the air to disperse the crowd.
