The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has condemned the Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja ‘s presence at a roadside political rally led by President William Ruto in Kieni, Nyeri County.
In a statement on Thursday, LSK, through President Faith Odhiambo, demanded that Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja apologizes for attending and addressing the event since he was expected to be impartial and serve all Kenyans regardless of their political views.
“The participation and remarks of the Inspector-General raise serious institutional concerns for the National Police Service, as they were not only avoidable but also unwarranted,” she stated.
Odhiambo cautioned the moves risk a perception of an endorsement of a political agenda, thus compromising the integrity of the office Kanja holds.
LSK cited violations of Article 245(1) of the Constitution, Breach of Section 10(4) of the National Police Service Act which mandates the IG to uphold national values, contravention of Section 23(2) of the Leadership and Integrity Act, 2012 which bars state officers from engaging in political activities, and violation of the National Police Service Standing Orders which prohibits police officers from making statements that compromise their political neutrality.
“In the circumstances, the Law Society of Kenya demands an immediate public apology by the Inspector-General for his conduct yesterday, which is unbecoming of the position he holds,” LSK President Faith Odhiambo noted in her statement and demanded the IG’s resignation if he will not make an apology to Kenyans.
“In the alternative, we invite Mr. Kanja to step aside from the position of Inspector-General and allow the role to be occupied by an individual willing to serve all Kenyans without imposing their political biases on the people of Kenya.”
