ODM calls for firing of Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei ahead of national dialogue

The Raila Odinga-led ODM party on Friday demanded President William Ruto immediately fire the Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome and Nairobi Police commander Adamson Bungei before they convene a national dialogue.

However, shortly after this statement, Japhet Koome resigned as the police IG. State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed said Ruto had appointed Douglas Kanja in an acting capacity.

"President Ruto has on this 12th day of July 2024, accepted the resignation of Japhet Koome, MGH, as the Inspector General of the National Police Service," reads the statement.

The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Party through its Secretary General Edwin Sifuna had said that for them to have this National conversation, the government should take certain immediate steps to create the necessary environment.

The party also wants the Head of State to apprehend all police officers implicated in the murders of innocent Kenyans who participated in peaceful protests since last year.

"We call for a national amnesty for all persons arrested or charged in connection with protests, and compensation for all victims of police brutality. Time is of the essence, fellow countrymen," read the statement.

Sifuna said the ODM Central Management Committee met on Friday and resolved it was now ready for dialogue to rescue the country. The party said it's willing to be part of talks to draft measures to bring lasting peace and stability to the country.

"We stand ready to support the country in coming up with measures that can restore lasting peace and stability and address the long-standing issues like unemployment, unending search for justice and equality fighting corruption, negative ethnicity in our national life, instilling a tradition of meritocracy in appointment to public office and ending the unfair and punitive economic and taxation policies," Sifuna added.

Party Leader ⁦@RailaOdinga⁩ with members of the Central Committee of the Party earlier today. pic.twitter.com/SUebsLxQum

— The ODM Party (@TheODMparty) July 12, 2024

ODM party insisted that it has never shied away from engaging in difficult negotiations to save the country whenever its destiny is at stake.

Cabinet dissolution

Sifuna commended Ruto's move to sack all his Cabinet Secretaries, saying it was a good start but still noted it wasn't enough. He noted that Kenyans are still not content with the government.

"The feeling across the country is that there still exists an atmosphere of fear that makes it impossible for people to speak freely," he added.

President Ruto on Thursday fired his entire cabinet save for the Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.

The dissolution of the Cabinet came barely two days after President Ruto and Raila announced a national 6-day dialogue under the National Multi-Sectoral Forum scheduled for next week.

Ruto said that the 150-person forum which will start on Monday, July 15, 2024, will include representatives from various stakeholders.

"This will be a six-day forum and will propose the way forward for the country. In the interest that we live within our means, all participants will bear their costs of attendance," he stated.

Ruto called on representations from various sectors of the country including religious groups, civil societies, political parties and even professional groups to submit their recommendations.

"This will be a six-day forum and will propose the way forward for the country. In the interest that we live within our means, all participants will bear their costs of attendance," Ruto added.

Backing the President's move, Raila said he approved the formation of the multi-sectoral forum following a consultative meeting with the Head of State.

The ODM Party leader stressed that the forum will help address the contentious issues raised by Kenyans, especially the youth, during the recent anti-government demonstrations.