Plans underway to establish Coroner General’s Office – Interior Ministry

The Ministry of Interior and National Administration has announced plans to establish the Coroner General’s Office under the National Coroners Service Act 2017.

In a statement, the Ministry said it has recommended to President William Ruto to initiate the process of setting up the office to investigate deaths linked to police brutality.

“The Ministry has recommended to His Excellency, the President, to initiate the process of establishing the Coroner General’s Office as per the National Coroners Service Act 2017 to investigate deaths, including those resulting from police action,” the statement reads in part.

The ministry said the office will also ensure accountability and transparency in cases of suspicious deaths.

Police urged to exercise restraint 

The Ministry called upon police officers to exercise restraint amid the ongoing protests in different parts of the country while reaffirming its commitment to respecting the sanctity of human life.

“Security agencies are under instruction to exercise restraint during peaceful protests and to use non-lethal force to ensure public safety,” said the Interior Ministry.

“The police may be compelled to use reasonable force when isolated and specific scenarios of protests escalate to criminal activities, including rioting, looting, burning of property, disruption of traffic.”

The Ministry further expressed regret over the infiltration of demonstrations by criminal elements in what began as peaceful protests against the finance bill, which has since been withdrawn.

“What began as an expression of divergent opinion over the financial vision for the country has tragically escalated to a situation where we are sadly counting the number of lives lost, the value of property destroyed, and families deprived of livelihoods,” the Ministry stated.

“We remain on high alert concerning the insecurity posed by protest infiltrations and the cases of violence and disruption of public order. A National Multi-Agency Command to coordinate the security operations has been established.”

The Ministry assured the public of ongoing investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) into allegations of police misconduct, killings, and enforced disappearances.