Go after masterminds of violence during Azimio demos, DPP tells police
Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome and Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji has directed the Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome to move with speed and probe the masterminds of the chaos witnessed during Azimio protests in the last weeks.
The DPP said that while minor suspects had been arrested and charged, those who planned, financed or incited the violence were spared.
"We have noted that the persons culpable for planning, inciting, instigating, and/or financing the commission of the aforementioned offences have not been investigated," part of the statement reads.
The IG has been given 14 days to finalise the investigation and submit the report to his office.
"You are hereby directed to undertake comprehensive investigations into the aforementioned offences and all persons responsible for planning, inciting, instigating, and/or financing the commission of any offence and submit the investigation file within fourteen (14) days of the date here," Mr Haji said.
Violence, destruction of property
Through a statement, DPP said that the move comes following the circulation of photos through social and mainstream media which showed alleged loss of lives, acts of violence, destruction of property, arson, and stealing, among other offences, during the demonstrations.
He said the offences were committed contrary to the Penal Code, Chapter 63, Laws of Kenya, the National Cohesion and Integration Act, 2008 and the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, 2018.
The ODPP office has also reaffirmed its commitment to uphold the rule of law and respect for human rights in the discharge of its mandate, warning that any person found culpable for the commission of any offence will be prosecuted.
This comes hours after the IG issued a related statement where he condemned the goons who destroyed, and looted public and private properties during the demonstrations.
Mr Koome had said that the probe has started and condemned the act of violence that saw two police vehicles being burned down and 23 cops sustaining injuries.
