Following criticism of police conduct during recent antigovernment demonstrations in Kenya, the country’s police chief has resigned.
President William Ruto has accepted the resignation of Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome, who has been in the role since November 2022, according to a statement from the presidency on Friday.
Deputy Inspector-General Douglas Kanja has been appointed as the acting police chief with immediate effect.
The move comes after Ruto dismissed most of his cabinet in response to protester demands.
Protesters had called for Koome’s resignation due to alleged excessive force used by the police during the demonstrations, which marked a significant crisis during Ruto’s presidency.
At least 39 people were reported killed in the antigovernment protests, as stated by Kenya’s national rights watchdog.
Al Jazeera’s Catherine Soi reported from Nairobi, emphasizing the significance of Koome’s resignation in response to protester demands.
Ruto has made efforts to appease demonstrators, such as scrapping the finance bill with unpopular tax hikes that sparked the protests.
Additionally, he removed the attorney general and all cabinet ministers except for Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
For more information, visit www.aljazeera.com