In what is set to be the first case if its kind in Kenya, a police officer has been arrested for participating in the anti-government protests staged on Wednesday.
Police constable Evans Otieno who is based at Emali Police Station was allegedly part of the rioters that hurled stones at the same station.
According to police report about the incident, constable Otieno was arrested along Mombasa Nairobi highway while talking to a group of youth.
“The said officer was seen by his colleagues yesterday(Wednesday) being among the rioters who were pelting stones to Emali police station and police officers,” read the report.
The arresting officers reported that they found atleast forty rolls of bhangs on him.
Constable Otieno’s arrest comes hours after the National Police Service(NPS) condemned a viral video that captured a police officer making what they term misleading and reckless statements.
In the clip, the officer who was on a live session on TikTok was heard chanting ‘Ruto must go’ while dragging Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kinduki’s name as he read comments from his audience of over 750 users.
The cop was also seemingly having a discussion with another individual in the background.
NPS says the clip paints a negative picture of the unit noting that “it is unacceptable and does not reflect their values.”
The police unit further announced that disciplinary action against the cop is currently under review in a statement on Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
“The attention of the National Police Service is drawn to a video clip circulating on social media, depicting an improperly dressed ‘Police Officer’ making misleading and reckless remarks,” NPS stated in a statement shared on Twitter.
“As a Disciplined Service, we wish to clarify and assure the public that the behaviour portrayed in the clip is therefore regrettable and stand condemned in the strongest terms possible, even as we embark on an internal review with a view of preferring appropriate disciplinary action. The National Police Service remains focused on training its Officers to the highest standards.”
