Written by Lisa Murimi
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei is facing intense backlash after making remarks that many Kenyans say trivialize the rising police brutality in the country.
In a controversial post shared on Thursday, June 19, Sing’Oei cited a Dutch article revealing that police in the Netherlands used violence 36,000 times in 2024, firing 13 shots. He implied that Kenya was being unfairly singled out.
“For those imagining Kenyan police are the only ones struggling with the scope of the use of force…” he wrote, sparking outrage online.
But Kenyans weren’t buying it. His attempt to compare Kenya’s situation with the Netherlands—a country where police brutality is met with public accountability—was seen as a tone-deaf deflection from the brutal reality on Kenyan streets.
“That’s Dutch… we are Kenyans. We care about our nation and citizenry. You want to compare when it suits you! How about you compare their foreign relations globally against Kenya’s, too?” questioned an online user.
“I do not think you have any business comparing ourselves to the Dutch. Do a follow-up and address police brutality that you all keep bird boxing,” said another X user.
Sing’Oei’s comments come at a time when Kenya is still reeling from the death of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang, and the shocking shooting of hawker Boniface Mwangi in Nairobi’s CBD.
Both incidents, captured on video, have triggered national outrage and brought fresh scrutiny to the Kenya Police Service.
Instead of acknowledging the pain of grieving families and traumatized citizens, PS Sing’Oei’s remarks have only deepened the wounds.
Kenyans are not asking for comparisons—they’re demanding accountability. And in moments like this, silence might have served the nation better than spin.
