National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah responded to accusations made by Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi on Sunday, July 23, regarding the alleged use of excessive force by the police during protests in certain opposition counties in the country.

Wandayi had expressed concern over increasing cases of police brutality in counties located in the former Nyanza region, which prompted a strong reaction from Ichung’wah. The Majority Leader accused Wandayi of incitement, asserting that his statements were intended to rally supporters of the Azimio leadership against the government.

In defense of the police, Ichung’wah commended the officers' response to the protests, stating that they displayed a high level of professionalism despite the challenging circumstances. He vehemently rejected any attempts to profile a particular community or public officials based on their ethnicity, emphasizing that such actions were against the principles of the Kenya Kwanza movement.

However, the government's handling of the protests has been met with criticism from various groups, including the church and non-profit organizations. The United Nations human rights body also expressed concerns about the State's response to the demonstrations, which were called by the Azimio La Umoja Coalition.

Reports emerged of casualties and injuries resulting from the protests, with at least 10 people reportedly killed and others sustaining gunshot wounds. Among the victims was a teenager with nine bullets lodged in his body. A video circulated online, verified as authentic, showed police officers beating residents in the Nyalenda area of Kisumu, even individuals not directly involved in the protests.

Despite mounting pressure and accusations, Ichung’wah maintained that the police acted within the confines of the law and the Constitution. He asserted that the use of live ammunition was justified when officers' lives or the lives of other civilians were under imminent threat during the execution of their duties.

The situation has led to a standoff between the government and the opposition, with legislators on the government side adopting a hardline stance. The opposition, on the other hand, called for a new round of protests scheduled for Wednesday, July 26.

Catholic Bishops also weighed in on the matter, criticizing the government for ignoring the pleas of Kenyans and arguing that millions were facing unbearable hardships as a consequence.

As the nation grappled with the aftermath of the protests and police actions, the debate surrounding police brutality and the government's response continued to intensify.