Kimani Ichung’wah, Majority Leader of the National Assembly, has defended the police force in the face of condemnation for their actions during the anti-government protests.
According to Ichung’wah, the police are being “vilified” for doing their jobs in keeping the peace during the protests.
“Our police force has been vilified for the actions that they have had to take to ensure that there is peace and that in our country, law and order thrives,” he said.
He stated that people are quick to condemn the police, ignoring their (police) safety in carrying out their mandate.
“I know even those of us in the fourth estate, we are very quick to vilify our police officers but we fail to recognise that there are criminal elements that have taken advantage of the demonstrations that were called by those in the opposition. And we have seen even armed groups engaging our police officers with arms,” he said.
Ichung’wah urged President Ruto to expedite policy formulation in order to improve police welfare in the country.
“But we want to encourage you our excellency that the task force that you appointed to look into the welfare of our officers to hasten in the work that they are doing so that our police officers in this country are well taken care of as well as they took care of lives and property of Kenyans during these last three days when those who were engaging in subversive activities tried to interfere with the peace and law and order of our country your excellency,” he added.
During the anti-government protests, police have come under fire for alleged brutality that has resulted in deaths and injuries.
Ichung’wah was speaking at Our Lady Consolata Mugoiri Girls’ High School in Kiharu, Murang’a County, on Thanksgiving and Prize Giving Day.
