IG Kanja meets opposition leaders, reaffirms police neutrality
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on Friday held talks with leaders of the United Opposition at the National Police Service (NPS) headquarters, reaffirming the Service’s commitment to political neutrality and equal protection for all Kenyans.
This followed complaints from the leaders that police are biased.
The IG, accompanied by his deputies Eliud Lagat (Kenya Police Service) and Gilbert Masengeli (Administration Police Service), as well as Senior Assistant Inspector General John Onyango representing the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), received a petition from the opposition leaders and assured them it would be reviewed carefully.
Kanja reiterated that the National Police Service remains non-partisan and is mandated to serve all citizens without fear or favour, regardless of political affiliation.
He also reminded political leaders of their obligation to notify police in advance of public meetings, rallies, or visits across the country to enable adequate security arrangements.
Further, the IG called for closer cooperation between political leaders and the police to ensure efficient investigations and timely follow-up whenever incidents are reported.
Both sides agreed that any security-related incident must be formally reported and recorded in accordance with the law.
Kanja said he looked forward to sustained, open, and constructive engagement between the opposition and the police leadership to enhance public safety and trust.
The opposition delegation was led by Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka and included Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, Democratic Party leader Justin Muturi, and Democratic Action Party–Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa.
Also present were Nyandarua Senator John Methu and DCP deputy party leader Cleophas Malala.
Gachagua said they faced the IG of police over his continued misadventure of police brutality and goonism in the country.
“We cannot live in a Nation of impunity in a nation our forefathers founded. The culture of impunity and goonism has no place in a civilized society,” he said.
He said injustice to any Kenyan irrespective of their creed, believe, tribe or color is a threat to our progressive constitution of Kenya 2010.
“Several Kenyans have lost their lives to goons and police and no action seems to be taken despite these criminals being known.
We shall not relent. Kenya is bigger than anyone of us, whether in authority or otherwise.”
“We shall be back in Othaya Town this weekend and we shall not bow to anyone as a people united to liberate our Nation,” he added.