CS John Nkaissery directive comes to pass

Hours before the Monday march to IEBC by the Opposition, Internal Security Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery said he had enough teargas at his disposal.

Mr Nkaissery went ahead to remind the Opposition that the police had just acquired new equipment to deal with protesters.

"We cannot allow that to happen. I said the other day we have enough teargas, plus, there are those who come to the streets after staying too long without taking a shower. We have acquired special equipment to give them a bath," said Nkaissery.

Nkaissery's comments did not surprise many. Since taking over the Cabinet slot occasioned by the sacking of soft-spoken Joseph Ole Lenku, the former Kajiado Central MP has come out strongly against anyone seen to be anti-establishment.

MPs and governors have borne the brunt of his directives.

The directives range from withdrawing their bodyguards to firearm withdrawal; something he seems to have adopted from his past in the military where the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission recommended for his prosecution over violation of human rights when he led an army operation in West Pokot in 1984.

The police seem to have learnt from the top man; using maximum force on unharmed Kenyans. 

Civil society groups are on record saying Nkaissery was never the right person to lead a ministry under which the battered image of police needed to be patched up.

A civil society organization, the Coalition for Commission Implementation (CCI), went to court to try and block his appointment saying he did not deserve to hold the office because of his human rights record while in the army.

"We raised the issue that Nkaissery was not the right person to lead a department which needed reforming. Now we have been vindicated," said CCI convener Cindy Otieno.