Editor's Review

DPP Noordin Haji has issued a directive to the Inspector General of the Police Japhet Koome over the violence witnessed during the Azimio anti-government demonstrations.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Noordin Haji has directed the Inspector General of the Police Japhet Koome to go after masterminds of violence during the Azimio anti-government demonstrations.

In a statement on Tuesday, March 28, DPP Haji stated that only minor suspects have been arrested and charged over the violence.

Haji gave Koome a period of two weeks to undertake comprehensive investigations on all the perpetrators of violence during the protests.

“Whereas some suspects have been arrested and charged in court for various offences, we have noted that the persons culpable for planning, inciting, instigating, and/or financing the commission of the aforementioned offences have not been investigated.

“Consequently, pursuant to Article 157 (4) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, you are hereby directed to undertake comprehension investigations into the aforementioned offences and ALL persons responsible for planning, inciting, instigating, and/or financing the commission of any offence and submit the investigation file within fourteen (14) days of the date hereof,” read the statement in part.

File image of Japhet Koome

Haji at the same time stated that any person found culpable of committing the offences would be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

“The ODPP reaffirms its commitment to uphold the rule of law and respect for human rights in the discharge of its mandate, and any person found culpable for the commission of any offence shall be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” the statement added.