Former National Police Service spokesperson Charles Owino has issued a firm warning against using violence to confront the government. Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV this Thursday, Owino strongly criticized the recent wave of protests in Kenya, calling them chaotic and unlawful. He emphasized that such actions only trigger excessive force from police and put lives at risk.
Owino acknowledged that frustrations with police conduct are valid, especially in light of recent events, but urged citizens to raise complaints through proper legal and constitutional channels. “The police have a responsibility to maintain law and order,” he said. “If someone wants to incite anarchy to remove people from office, they might as well declare themselves guerrilla fighters and face the military.”
His comments come amid growing national outrage following the death of teacher Albert Ojwang, who reportedly died in police custody. Ojwang’s death sparked widespread protests across the country, with demonstrators demanding justice and accountability, especially targeting Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.
During one of the demonstrations in Nairobi, a hawker was shot in the head by a police officer, escalating public anger. The victim is currently in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital. The incident, caught on video, prompted swift action from the National Police Service, which has since interdicted two officers, Klinzy Barasa Masinde and Duncan Kiprono, pending further investigations.
While defending the role of the police in maintaining peace, Owino admitted that it is important to acknowledge when law enforcers go wrong. “Let us work together. It is not wrong to point out where the police have made mistakes,” he said, urging Kenyans to hold officers accountable without resorting to violence.
By Lucky Anyanje
