The Inspector General of Police, Japheth Koome, issued a statement on behalf of the National Police Service (NPS) regarding violence against police officers by alleged Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Coalition demonstrators.


In the statement issued on Tuesday, Koome claimed the anti-government protests were just a ploy to invade the State House and not demos against the high cost of living in the country.

“On Monday 20th March, 2023, the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Alliance leaders and their supporters held an illegal demonstration in Nairobi and Kisumu cities, allegedly protesting against what they termed as high cost of living, but their sole aim was to invade the State House,” the statement read in part.

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Koome further said NPS officers executed their mandate professionally within the law and in cognizance with human rights.

According to Koome, NPS officers only used minimal force and barely reinforced the same by use of water cannons and tear gas to restrain protestors from gaining access to Nairobi and Kisumu central business districts.


“The unwarranted day-long stand-off that was witnessed in Nairobi and Kisumu yesterday, amounts to nothing short of violence against police and economic sabotage. Despite their provocation against police, our Officers executed their national security mandate professionally; upholding the rule of law and utmost respect for human rights,” Koome said.

“In particular, Officers used force gradually beginning with the lowest threshold which is show-off force and barely reinforced by water cannons and lobbying teargas canisters to prevent the protestors from accessing central business districts of Nairobi and Kisumu, as well as protected areas, to prevent further damage.”

Koome also acknowledged the death of the Maseno University Student who lost his life during the demos allegedly after a group of rioters invaded Maseno Police Station.

Koome also confirmed the police have already launched a probe into the matter and opened NPS doors to external scrutiny by independent constitutional agencies.

“It is regrettable that even after Officers restrained themselves, and acted within the law; and effectively contained the situation, rioters invaded Maseno Police Station, hulling stones at police officers and property, and in the process, we lost one male student from Maseno University,” Koome said.

“In compliance with the Constitution and the National Police Service Act of 2011, we have commenced our Investigations into the matter. In addition, we remain open to external scrutiny by independent constitutional agencies as we strive to promote and practice transparency and accountability within the Police.”


Koome on behalf of the NPS condemn in the strongest terms possible, the unwarranted violence that was meted against its officers while discharging their official duties.

While noting the constitutional right to freedom of assembly, picketing, and petitioning, he cautioned the public against the blatant infringement of the rights of others.

According to Koome, the Monday demos resulted in the arrest of 25 people and injury of 7 police officers while in Nairobi, 10 Police vehicles were damaged, 24 Officers injured while 213 people were arrested.