Azimio threatens to remove IG Koome from office over police killings

Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party leaders are now threatening to table a censure motion against Inspector General Japhet Koome following the killings of demonstrators by police officers.

The leaders, while speaking in Siaya County during a requiem mass for 12 victims of the police killings, accused the police boss of going rogue and being insensitive by claiming Azimio hired bodies from morgues. 

The opposition political faction also called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to take stock of human rights abuses in the country.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga, who led the interdenominational requiem mass, accused the government of engaging in activities that subvert the constitution.

“We have a Constitution that protects the rights but those in power do not respect the Constitution,” Odinga said.

Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua added: “These killings will be avenged...the blood of these people here will not go like that.”

The leaders said the issue of police brutality will not be conversed at the dialogue table but will instead be escalated.

“The matter of police brutality we cannot have it in Bomas talks...this is a serious matter,” Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka noted.

“Our people have bared the pain of a rogue police...our mothers have buried their sons against their will, this they must get justice,” Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga added.

”From here we are moving to have a censure motion that IG Koome is not fit to hold public office,” former Defence CS Eugene Wamalwa said.

“As leaders, we cannot cry when our people are dying, let us go and table a motion of no confidence against Koome,” Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma resolved.

Siaya Governor James Orengo added: “We have visited all police stations here in Siaya, there is no single police officer who has reported a death.”

Odinga told mourners that their cries will not go unanswered: “We want the ICC to take note...ICC must now see the abuse of human rights happening in our country.”

The former premier said the coalition will now not call on their supporters to engage in street protests but instead ask them to remain indoors and have it enforced.

“Next time we will not tell our people to come to the streets, we shall tell people to stay at home and we shall have people stopped from coming out of their homes,” he stated.

Azimio leaders will lead similar send-off masses in Kisumu and Vihiga counties on Saturday.