Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang’i has directed the Inspector of General of police to deploy officers from the Internal affairs unit to investigate the teargas incident that occurred during an Azimio rally in Kisii.
Matiang’i’s directive comes after an officer allegedly discharged a teargas canister during the Thursday event ending the rally prematurely.
Three senior detectives from the Internal Unit are currently headed for Kisii to investigate the matter.
The rally was being presided over by Azimio la Umoja presidential running mate Martha Karua and Mama Ida Odinga.
NPS issue statement after disruption during Azimio rally
Following the incident, the officer suspected of committing the crime was arrested and taken into police custody.
“NPS wishes to inform the public that preliminary investigation into the discharge of the teargas at the public meeting presided over by Hon Martha Karua, who is the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya Alliance presidential running mate, has established that the person responsible for the incident is a police officer,” a statement by Spokesperson Bruno Shioso reads in parts.
FOLLOW-UP STATEMENT ON THE INCIDENT INVOLVING THE DISCHARGE OF A TEARGAS AT A PUBLIC MEETING PRESIDED OVER BY HON MARTHA KARUA IN KISII. pic.twitter.com/75CM6izFuB
— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) June 30, 2022
“The said officer is currently in custody assisting with further investigation to unravel all circumstances surrounding the incident.”