Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has issued a statement addressing the now-viral video of a police officer harassing a member of the public.
In the statement, Koome castigated the officer, who has since been identified, for his actions while issuing a stern warning to other police officers not to abuse their mandate to serve and protect Kenyans.
“As a Service, we are gravely concerned by, and strongly condemn, the misconduct displayed by the Officer. It should be clear that NPS shall not condone or protect any officer found engaging in abuse of his/her powers and/or privileges, or any other action that can bring disrepute to the image of the Police,” said Koome.
“We regret the incident and reiterate that the behaviour exhibited by the said officer does not reflect the core values of NPS, more so during this reform where we are focused on and commitment to fostering and promoting good police-community relations, as enshrined in the constitution of Kenya.”
Koome added: Finally, we wish to inform the public that the officer has since been identified, and the incident is currently being reviewed for appropriate disciplinary action.”
In the video seen by Citizen Digital, the seemingly intoxicated and armed officer can be seen pestering a motorist, for reasons unknown, going as far as threatening to shoot him on-site.
“Wewe umewahi kugongwa?…Na hii gari na weza piga miguu yote,” said the officer while brandishing his hand gun.
The motorist proceeds to ask the officer why he was pulled over but the policeman does not respond.
“Unaniharibia kazi kwa nini na mimi pia natafuta?” the motorist asked.
“Kwa sababu umejifanya we ni mwanaume,” the officer said in response.
The motorist then alights from the vehicle in an attempt to converse with the officer but his effort is quickly shot down.
“Ingia kwa hii gari na utaenda korti, mimi sikufichi,” says the officer who insisted throughout the video that the motorist disrespected him.
