Police Inspector General Japhet Koome has been sued in connection with the extrajudicial killings that occurred during and after the 2017 General Elections when he was the Nairobi Police Commander.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI), and Khelef Khalifa want Koome investigated for allowing police to use cruel and lethal force to suppress protests in Nairobi, resulting in 33 deaths.
Chaos erupted after the IEBC in 2017 declared Former President Uhuru Kenyatta as the president-elect in an election that the opposition successfully challenged the victory at the Supreme Court.
“As stated in the petition, government pathologists confirmed the deceased succumbed to gunshot wounds. However, the suit affirms that not all the dead were present on the streets; some were sadly killed in their homes and businesses,” reads part of the petition.
The petitioners say that requests to obtain the investigation records on the killings were ignored, prompting them to seek more reports through the court.
According to the petitioners, on January 24, 2023, they sent a letter to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) requesting information on their actions in regard to the killings, but they delayed their response.
“IPOA delayed its response until April 12, when they replied that they were investigating only 15 cases, not all 33,” they said.
The petitioners have also sued IPOA and the Attorney-General for failing to cooperate and serve justice to Kenyans.
Khalifa says he also wrote to Koome on July 26, 2023, inquiring about the progress of the investigation on the remaining 18 people but his response was delayed up to August 15.
“Koome declined to furnish details of the investigation and redirected Khalifa to seek answers from IPOA,” he said.
They now want the court process to aid them in obtaining the investigation report to hold those guilty accountable.
