The Principal Secretary for Internal Security, Dr Raymond Omollo, has apologized to Kenyans for the teargassing and subsequent arrests of demonstrators protesting the rising cases of femicide. Speaking out on the incident, which occurred on International Human Rights Day, Dr Omollo described the police action as “unacceptable” and acknowledged that it underscored the ongoing challenges within Kenya’s policing system.
“It is something that we deeply regret,” said Omollo. “We have internal processes within the police structure, and anyone found culpable will be subjected to the legal process and established protocols. We have had discussions with the Inspector General of Police, and it is regrettable—something that should not have happened in the first place.”
Dr Omollo’s comments came amid growing public outcry over the heavy-handed response to peaceful protests calling for action against femicide. He assured that corrective measures would be taken, with a full investigation into the incident.
In the same breath, Omollo addressed recent false reports claiming that Kenyan police officers serving in the UN peacekeeping mission in Haiti had resigned. The PS rejected these allegations, calling them part of a deliberate misinformation campaign aimed at creating confusion.
“Our soldiers are safe and doing a good job,” Omollo assured the public in a live TV interview on Wednesday night. “The Haitian administration is also happy with their work.”
On the issue of delayed payments for peacekeeping personnel, Omollo reassured Kenyans that the matter was being resolved and that payments would be processed promptly. He urged the public not to politicize security matters.
The PS also commended the success of Kenya’s peacekeeping mission in Haiti, highlighting the important role Kenyan officers have played in restoring peace. He confirmed that additional officers would soon be deployed as part of the ongoing mission, with the first batch of 400 officers already in place.
“The fear, circus, and fury that greeted the initial deployment has now been overcome,” Omollo said, emphasizing the positive impact of the deployment on Kenya’s global reputation. “Our officers have strengthened Kenya’s image abroad and reinforced bilateral partnerships, particularly in humanitarian efforts.”
Dr Omollo also confirmed plans for the deployment of a second contingent of 600 officers, with the first batch’s success paving the way for further contributions to the peacekeeping mission.
