Kenya's Police Chief Resigns Amid Protest Criticism

Kenya's police chief Japhet Koome resigned following criticism of police actions during anti-government protests, which resulted in 39 deaths. President William Ruto announced Koome's resignation after sacking most of his cabinet. Deputy Inspector-General Douglas Kanja has been appointed as the acting police chief.

NAIROBI, July 12 (Reuters) - Kenya's police chief Japhet Koome resigned on Friday amid severe backlash over police conduct during recent anti-government protests that led to at least 39 fatalities. The announcement came from President William Ruto's office, a day after Ruto made sweeping changes to his cabinet under pressure from demonstrators.

The public outcry over the handling of the protests had mounted considerable pressure on the administration, leading to a drastic reshuffle. President Ruto adhered to the protesters' demands by sacking nearly his entire cabinet, signaling a significant overhaul in governance.

In a swift move, Deputy Inspector-General Douglas Kanja has stepped in as the acting police chief, tasked with restoring public trust and order. The move aims to stabilize the police force and address public concerns over law enforcement conduct during turbulent demonstrations.

(With inputs from agencies.)