Embakasi East Member of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Babu Owino, has called for the immediate resignation of the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, accusing him of overseeing escalating lawlessness, human rights violations, and a failure to uphold the rule of law in Kenya.
In a strongly worded letter and subsequent press statement, Dr. Owino criticized the Inspector General’s recent remarks, which absolved the National Police Service (NPS) of responsibility for enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and abductions. He described these statements as a “gross insult to the intelligence and dignity of Kenyans,” adding that they show disdain for victims, their families, and the wider public.
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A Pattern of Impunity
Dr. Owino highlighted a troubling trend of police involvement in human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests and disappearances. He noted that these issues have repeatedly been ignored or minimized under the current police leadership, accusing the IG of perpetuating a culture of impunity.
“The Inspector General’s attempts to evade accountability while lecturing Kenyans on responsibility are both shameful and unacceptable,” Dr. Owino said. “How can we trust a system that turns against the very citizens it is sworn to protect?”
Government’s Failure to Act
The MP also criticized the government’s silence, accusing the administration of failing to fulfill its constitutional mandate to protect Kenyan citizens. He warned of parliamentary action, including censure motions, to hold both the IG and the NPS accountable should immediate steps not be taken.
Solidarity with Victims
Dr. Owino expressed his solidarity with families affected by disappearances and pledged to fight for justice on their behalf. “We will not rest until every missing Kenyan is accounted for, and those responsible for these heinous acts face justice,” he stated.
A Call for Change
Concluding his statement, Dr. Owino called for urgent reforms within the police service and demanded the Inspector General’s resignation to pave the way for credible investigations and the restoration of public trust.
“We cannot build a democratic Kenya when those entrusted with our protection turn against us. The Inspector General must go—and he must go now,” Dr. Owino declared.
