Kenya's Police Chief Resigns Amid Crisis

Kenya's police chief, Japhet Koome, resigned after widespread criticism over police conduct during protests in which 39 people were killed. President William Ruto, responding to demands, fired nearly his entire cabinet. Protests against tax increases turned violent, with accusations of police brutality. Investigations into protest-related deaths continue.

Kenya's police chief, Japhet Koome, resigned on Friday following intense criticism of officers' conduct during last month's anti-government protests, which resulted in at least 39 deaths.

President William Ruto announced Koome's resignation a day after dismissing nearly his entire cabinet, bowing to protesters' demands. Koome's deputy, Douglas Kanja, has been named acting police chief. Originally peaceful, the protests against proposed tax hikes escalated into violence, with police using tear gas, water cannon, and live ammunition, and some protesters storming parliament.

Although Ruto scrapped the tax increases, protests have persisted, with activists now calling for his resignation and sweeping political reforms to address corruption and poor governance. They have also accused police of excessive force and abductions. Ruto, who has been in office since September 2022, stated on social media platform X that any officers found responsible for abductions would be held accountable.

Amnesty International reported the discovery of protester Denzel Omondi's body in a quarry outside Nairobi, calling for an independent investigation into his death. On Friday, at least eight more bodies were found in a quarry in Mukuru, according to Reuters eyewitnesses and rights groups. Human rights activists have demanded immediate investigations, and a government spokesperson said authorities were conducting analyses to identify the deceased and were continuing their inquiries.

(With inputs from agencies.)