Kenya’s police chief Japhet Koome has resigned his position, after weeks of violent protests against proposed tax hikes which saw more than 40 people killed.
The police in Kenya have been accused of fatally shooting dozens of protesters and arbitrarily arresting many more.
The police boss resigned just a day after President William Ruto dissolved his cabinet due to pressure from the protest movement which is largely coordinated online by young Kenyans.
Protesters had stormed parliament two weeks ago, shortly after legislators passed the controversial finance bill, setting part of the complex ablaze. Police responded by opening fire on demonstrators in the streets.
The bill was later withdrawn by President Ruto but the protesters are insisting that he must step down and are planning further protests to push for more reforms.
Meanwhile, deputy police chief Douglas Kanja has stepped in as the new police boss of the force with immediate effect, the Kenyan presidency has said.
Koome’s voluntary exit from the force has been welcomed by Kenyans, but police officers who were caught on camera shooting at protesters are yet to be brought to Justice.
Ruto had promised Kenyans last week in an unprecedented discussion on X that he would take action against the police officers who shot and killed protesters once he had video evidence.
It was reported that at least 11 dead bodies were found at a refuse site in the capital, Nairobi, after residents raised the alarm. It is however not clear if the dead were among those killed during the protests.
Source: BBC NewsÂ
