Boinnet on UoN demos: You cannot condemn the police on the basis of a 3 seconds clip

Kenyans on social media are not happy with the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet after he the remarks he made during an interview with NTV of 1 October 2017.

On Thursday 28 September students at the University of Nairobi demonstrated against the arrest of former Students Organization of Nairobi University (SONU) Babu Owino, who is the current Member of Parliament for Embakasi East.

Several viral videos did rounds on social media showing how the police brutally handled the students. However the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) launched investigations into the alleged assault on University of Nairobi students.

“IPOA this morning noted from social media reports of an incident in which members of the National Police Service allegedly stormed the University of Nairobi and assaulted students at the institution,” read part of a statement by Dennis Danson Oketch, Head of Communications and Outreach Department.

The Inspector General of Police however said that we should not condemn the police before knowing what really went down during the demonstrations at Nairobi University.

“It is important to understand all these things in context… why did we get there in the first instance? So we should not be judged on the basis of a 3 seconds clip not knowing, how did we get there in the first instance?” said the Inspector General during the interview.

When he was asked if he regrets anything that went down on that fateful day, IG Boinnet said that he is a stickler for procedure and doing things the right way. He also admitted that things were not done the right way and that if they find the police officers who had crossed, they will take action.

Here are some of Kenyan’s reactions on what the Inspector General said;

He is regreting yet he is denaying the fact that deeply he is!!!— Sussan Awuor (@AwuorSussan) October 1, 2017

If the leader is that confused how about the rest who serve under him ?— christopher kasema (@chris_kasema) October 1, 2017

Shameful that the IG choses to act dumb and side with brutality. Kenya turning to Uganda— KC (@KCBabez1) October 1, 2017

Which law says because a few were involved in an alleged criminal activity you should punish everyone in the entire Soviet — christopher kasema (@chris_kasema) October 1, 2017

#BoinnetInterview Is 'how did we get there in the 1st instance' the only thing Boinnet can say on live TV? Pathetic and shameful— Shaq Barry (@shaq_barry) October 1, 2017

what's making sense in boinetts conversations....nothing at all he's trying to avoid the main question— David tanui (@Davidtanui13) October 1, 2017

He's just beating round the bush. Mara uko na suspects tena hauna doesn't make sense— Kelvin kituli (@KKituli) October 1, 2017

Really?? How long should the clip be?? Am shocked and honestly scared that the IG can say something like that with a straight face— Ben Kabugi (@benkabugi1) October 1, 2017

Thats a disgrace from the IG, innocent students were brutally, beaten. How can students in hostels & lecture hall be demonstrating??— Davidson Muia (@davidsonmuia) October 1, 2017

#BoinnetInterview this is clear, he is unfit to be IG. If there is one institution that is desperate for total reforms its the police!— Anne_Wamai (@Anne_Wamai) October 1, 2017

According to IG..who is not understanding entirely everything under him!— Sussan Awuor (@AwuorSussan) October 1, 2017

Honestly find a more brilliant police man to replace Boinnet he is a pure waste of time A BIG LIE.— Sussan Awuor (@AwuorSussan) October 1, 2017

@JBoinnet you should listen to yourself.. You are the biggest sinner on this first day of October.. You will pay for the sins on your people— Collins Sigei (@sigeic95) October 1, 2017

This is more than 3 seconds. Or you want the 2:50 one ?? pic.twitter.com/SFKovJUWxX— . (@a_a_mandhry) October 1, 2017

IG had only harmed himself with the argument that "We cannot judge a police in a 3 seconds clip"..... No single answer!— Vicky 05 (@Vicky0577862134) October 1, 2017

The IG needs to humble himself and live to the realities and stop being too defensive...shamful.— Geoff (@GeoffreyOtieno) October 1, 2017

It's sad that there Kenyans out here that condone this from the police. It might be your family next on the line. Watch your words.— Loveness Dobrev (@dobrev_loveness) October 1, 2017

Come on. We just witness the cruel ire of police. Beating students in their classes is totally unacceptable— Think Tank (@realElijamuriki) October 1, 2017