Kenya’s police chief Japhet Koome resigned on Friday following intense criticism of officers’ conduct during anti-government protests last month, which resulted in at least 39 deaths.
President William Ruto’s office announced Koome’s resignation a day after nearly the entire cabinet was dismissed, a move seen as a response to protesters’ demands. Douglas Kanja, Koome’s deputy, has been appointed acting police chief.
The demonstrations, initially peaceful protests against proposed tax increases, turned violent. Police responded with tear gas, water cannon, and live ammunition, while some protesters stormed parliament.
Despite Ruto scrapping the tax increases, protests have continued, with some activists calling for the president’s resignation and substantial political reforms to address corruption and poor governance.
Activists have accused police of using excessive force and abducting dozens of protesters. President Ruto stated last week on social media platform X that any officers found responsible for the reported abductions would be held accountable.
The body of Denzel Omondi, a protester who disappeared during the demonstrations, was discovered last week in a quarry outside Nairobi, according to Amnesty International, which has called for an independent investigation into his death.
On Friday, at least eight other bodies were found in a quarry in Mukuru, a Nairobi slum area, Reuters eyewitnesses and rights groups reported.
“Most of them have decomposed, but one was fresh. We don’t know if we can relate it to protests or if it’s femicide since most of them are women,” said Miriam Nyamuita, an activist with the Mukuru Community Justice Centre.
Human rights activists are calling for immediate investigations. Police officials have not yet commented on the Amnesty report or the discovery of the other bodies.