As Kenyans prepare to mark Saba Saba Day, some citizens are urging President William Ruto to sack Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen and top security chiefs to ease public anger.

Addressing the press in Nairobi on Tuesday, National Alternative Alliance (NAA), expressed concerns over the “incapability of the current security chiefs to manage peaceful demonstrations” saying the public has lost trust in them.  

NAA is an umbrella body hosting 19 political outfits, civil society organisations and other human rights groups. 

“To ease public anger and restore trust in the security sector, we urge President Ruto to dismiss Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, the Director of the National Intelligence Service, the Inspector General of Police and his deputies, and the Director of Criminal Investigations,” said Maliba Arnold, NAA convener.

He argued that the current police bosses have overseen extrajudicial killings, abductions and serious human rights abuses, the “gravest stains” on Ruto’s administration, and said a fresh, credible team is urgently needed to uphold the rule of law and protect all Kenyans’ rights.

“To whom much is given, much is expected. As the leader of this nation, you must act decisively to calm the situation and create an environment for genuine dialogue and national healing,” he said. 

The security sector has recently faced sharp criticism from Kenyans over police excesses and the mishandling of demonstrations, which have led to deaths, arbitrary arrests and extrajudicial killings.

The public uproar seen last week during the commemoration of the June 25, 2024 Gen Z protests was sparked by the death of teacher and influencer Albert Ojwang’, who died in police custody just hours after his arrest.

According to Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), at least 19 people lost their lives during the last weeks protests that marked the first anniversary of Gen Z-led uprising as they honoured the more than 60 youths killed in the revolution last year. 

At the same time, 531 sustained injuries, most of whom are nursing gun-shot wounds, while 15 others were forcibly disappeared during the protests.

NAA is now calling on the government to compensate, waive hospital and mortuary fees for victims of police brutality and withdraw all charges against activists and citizens arrested for exercising their constitutional rights and releasing them unconditionally.

“Further, the government must restrain provocative and inflammatory statements by officials, apprehend and interdict police, government, and political actors implicated in violence against demonstrators, depoliticise security agencies and stop weaponising the criminal justice
system against dissent,” Arnold said. 

Unemployment among the youth, they said, is another challenge, fanning public anger as majority remain idle after qualifying from colleges. 

“We can’t have a leadership that does not create jobs for the young people yet scandalous projects are flagged by various financial audits everyday,” said Kennedy Ondiek, Progress Plus Alliance (PPA) party chairman.

“We must have a conversation that addresses public interest,” he added, urging the government to conduct National Youth Council elections to establish legitimate youth leadership and revive youth-focused programmes.