Former police spokesperson Charles Owino, speaking during an interview on Citizen TV’s Day Break, addressed the ongoing concerns surrounding the police’s role during public protests.
He stated that moving forward, the National Police Service will support peaceful demonstrations as guaranteed under the Constitution.
However, Owino warned that in instances where protests descend into chaos and involve armed individuals, the police will withdraw from the frontline.
In such situations, he added, it becomes the responsibility of the military to intervene and restore order, as dealing with armed threats goes beyond the mandate of regular police officers.
His remarks come amid national debate over police conduct during the June 25 protests that left several people dead and many injured.
Rights groups have accused police of excessive force, while others have raised alarm over the increasing militarization of civilian matters. Owino maintained that the police must balance rights protection with national security imperatives.
By Newshub