Police brutality: Why Kenyans are angry at IG Boinnet
The performance of Inspector General of police Joseph Boinnet in a television interview has sparked anger among Kenyans.
Mr Boinnet was on Sunday hosted by NTV’s Linus Kaikai to speak on the shocking videos that showed University of Nairobi students being assaulted and injured by anti-riot police drawn from the General Service Unit.
His answers were however cagey and unforthcoming.
Mr Boinnet insisted that the frog marching of students out of classrooms and hostels was part of police tactics to calm down a stormy situation.
He added that police were invited to the university by the institution’s administration to sort out the security situation.
The Inspector General said investigations are ongoing to determine if police used excessive force.
When pressed by the host Mr Kaikai to give a verdict based on the video footage, he kept repeating “the question is, how did we get here? We need to get the context.”
Here are reactions of Kenyans on Twitter to the interview.
boinnet has denied UON brutality, shooting of cows, and duale hate speech. Tomorrow he'll deny this interview happened #BoinnetInterview
— The Grinch (@1LoudMoran) October 1, 2017
It shameful to watch boinnet stammer with lies #BoinnetInterview
— M.A.A (@itsAlumasi) October 1, 2017
Jubilee Government doesn't care if you live or die. Thats why they should go!! Retweet if you want police brutality to end #BoinnetInterview
— Errycar10 (@errycar10) October 1, 2017
kaikai: Why are cows being shot in Laikipia by police officers? Boinet: Because the bandits are hidding between the cows. #BoinnetInterview
— Lloyd Onyango (@lloydOnyango) October 1, 2017
Who advised him to attend an interview with Linus Kaikai on NTV? He's removed all doubt about cops & intellect. #BoinnetInterview
— Mwalimu Mutemi wa Kiama (@MutemiWaKiama) October 1, 2017
It's a COMEDY of the ABSURD on NTV, Linus Kaikai Vs Joseph Boinett. Is Boinett a PARENT? Is he HUMAN? #BoinnetInterview
— Ike Kenneth (@IkeOjuok) October 1, 2017
The responses being given by the IG in this #BoinnetInterview is just an insult to our intelligence, why defend the indefensible? Nkt
— Nomad ?? (@learnednomad) October 1, 2017
#Boinnetinterview so the police have a right to tear gas student's in thea hostles?? Your children don't learn in Kenya.. It seems.
— Ian Arek (@arekgordon) October 1, 2017
'We are investigating and will get to the bottom of the matter' @JBoinnet can we get REAL answers now!!!!!
#BoinnetInterview pic.twitter.com/Xjiz6YbA0l— Kimani Mbugua (@IamKimaniMbugua) October 1, 2017