Raila Odinga, through his lawyer, has launched a formal complaints against the roque police officer during Azimio’s protest.
In a letter of complaints reference AJ/GEN/EP1/23 to OCS Embakasi police station, Odinga note that on 29h April 2023 between the hours of 1400-1 500 hours, he was in the pipeline area of Embakasi South Constituency, Nairobi County participating in a peaceful demonstration in the company of thousands of Kenyans.
At 1630hours or thereabouts, in the course of his procession towards outering road, he encountered a contingent of armed police officers stationed at the very dircetion that the peaceful demonstration was parading towards.
“By their very presence at the said location at the material time, it was clear that they (the Police) knew or ought to have known that our client and other demonstrators at large had every intention of parading along the said area and ought therefore to have provided and/or facilitated their safe passage and ensured order as by law required.” A letter seen by K47 digital from Awele Jackson read in part.
Instead, Odinga stated, the said police officers maliciousty and with the clear itention of violently disrupting the peaceful demonstration, indiscriminately lobbed teargas canisters, fired live ammunition and sprayed pink-dyed water at Odinga’s convoy thereby provoking mayhem and violent reactions from demonstrators.
“The reckless and violent use of force by the police on the material day is well documented and within the knowledge of the police and the public at large.” He said.
“In the melce, we are instructed that police officers approached our client’s vehicle and
persistently fired approximately ten (10) rounds of live ammunition at it.” Odinga’s lawyer wrote.
He added: “A subsequent examination of our client’s vehicle in the aftermath of the attack shows that the vehicle was skillfully targeted with our client as the actual target.”
Odinga further noted that there is reasonable cause to believe that specific officers acting on the command of the Inspector General of the National Police Service and/or the State, with malice aforethought, attempted to commit a felony, to wit; to cause the death of Odinga, an offence under the Penal code.
“Needless to state, the conduct of the said Police officers against our client and the peaceful demonstrators amounted to misconduct contrary to the Police Act and the Independent Policing Oversight Act and accordingly warrant Independent inquiry by the Internal Affairs Unit of the National Police Service and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority.”
Odinga noted through the letter written the said offices are so advised.
He further detailed that the Director of Public Prosecutions is similarly notified for further action in accordance with the Constitution.
With the help of the public at large, Odinga named the following oflicers amongst others yet to be identified of having been specifically cited as culpable for the offenses complained of.
- Police Force No: 88011 Cpl Silas Kemboi
- Police Force No 226944 PC, Isaac Ndirangu.
“Please enter this complaint in your occurrence book and issue us with the entry number for our client’s records.” Said advocate Jackson.
He remarkef that they DCI will conduct a speedy and thorough investigations into the complaint.
