President Uhuru Kenyatta has praised the police
for being 'firm' during the August 8 and October 26 election periods.
The praises comes amidst claims that the police have used
extreme force on Opposition supporters over the past four months.
NASA coalition published the names and photos of the victims
of police brutality and violence in various local newspapers on November 24.
Leader Raila Odinga's return from the US was greeted with
bullets, tear gas and water cannons as police battled NASA supporters who
defied a ban to receive him at JKIA.
"The President has noted that notwithstanding the
intense political competition and the unprecedented repeat presidential polls
the service remained firm in execution of its mandate," said Kenya
police director of operations Benson Kibui.
In a confidential letter dated November 30, Uhuru commended
the police for carrying out their duties in a "professional way"
and in accordance with the law.
"I have been directed by the President to convey his
commendation to officers of all ranks involved in various stages of the
elections exercise for the high degree of professionalism and dedication to
duty displayed during the entire period," Kibui said.
The director commended all officers for their selfless
dedication to duty in covering the 2017 electoral process effectively.
"Let us therefore keep up the positive spirit in the
service of our motherland. You are therefore directed to convey this
message to all officers under your respective commands,"he said.
The letter is also referenced as "Secpol" which is
a police parlance for a secret document that should be circulated on a need to
know basis.
Kibui sent the letter to regional and formation commanders
across the country.
Last Friday, Raila dared Jubilee to arrest him if he is the
stumbling block to the country's progress, "instead of killing innocent
Kenyans agitating for their democratic right."
The ODM leader said this at Laico Regency during a fund
raiser for those who lost their lives when he returned from the United States.
He described the event as sad, saying: "We are gathered
here for a very sad occasion ... we have come to collect money to bury very
young people."
"If Raila is the problem, arrest him ... arrest him.
Take him to prison ... take him to jail ... And if you want to shoot, shoot
Raila!" he said.
Police have been accused of being responsible for tens of
deaths between August and November.
During protests on Tuesday, seven-year-old Geoffrey Mutinda
was shot dead in Pipeline estate. Police said thugs were responsible for his
death.
In August, six-month-old Samantha Pendo died after police
clobbered her during police raids in Kisumu, while eight-year-old Stephanie
Moraa was shot dead in protests in Mathare.
IPOA closed a probe on the latter deaths and recommended
disciplinary action against senior security officials in Kisumu for Pendo's
death.
The agency did not, however, find any particular individual
police officer culpable for the deaths.
