IG Koome Under Fire for Impeding Lawyers Against His Promotions
On Monday, June 19, the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) sounded the alarm over an increase in cases of unlawful arrests of advocates across the country as a result of disputes over police promotions.
Erick Theuri, president of the LSK, urged the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) to protect the attorneys handling the cases while speaking to the media.
According to Theuri, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome violated the Constitution by promoting 507 officers above the superintendent rank.
“We are concerned that this growing trend will impede the ability of our members to provide competent services to the public. The actions threaten the administration of justice and the rule of law.
Theuri lamented, “Such actions demonstrate that the IG is uncontrollable, that he is on a lark to assume powers he does not possess, and as a result, they make us all vulnerable because he cannot restrain himself.”
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Therefore, Theuri stated that LSK would petition the appointments to permit the High Court to reprimand the Inspector General’s actions. In addition, he cautioned that the promotions could be grounds for the IG’s removal from office.
He urged threatened or intimidated advocates to seek assistance from society.
“The Inspector General of Police’s actions constitute a serious violation of the Constitution and constitute grounds for removal from office.” The Law Society is concerned that the Inspector General’s actions will confuse.
Theuri added, “This is a call to all of our members who have been subjected to intimidation by any security agency to let us know so that together we can challenge these regrettable steps within the justice sector.”
Those impacted by the impasse between the IG and the National Police Service Commission, which accused Koome of circumventing its mandate, petitioned President William Ruto for assistance.
On June 11, Koome instructed police officers not to apply for National Police Service Commission (NPSC)-advertised promotions.
On June 6, NPSC Chairman Eliud Kinuthia also threatened to discipline promoted officers whom he accused of complying with unlawful orders.
IG Koome Under Fire for Impeding Lawyers Against His Promotions
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