Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya

Homa Bay Member of Parliament Peter Kaluma has spoken out after a police officer shot a mask vendor at the CBD on Tuesday, June 17.

While speaking before the National Assembly, Kaluma urged Kenyans to respect police officers even as they exercise their right to picket.

He further argued that Kenyans can only enjoy their freedoms within the confines of the country's law and constitution.

The MP further urged Kenyans to stop provoking armed police officers during protests.

"We need to begin reminding all Kenyans and even foreigners in the country, honourable speaker, that we can only enjoy those fundamental freedoms within the confines of the law. Ultimately, we need a stable state," Kaluma said.

Kaluma further cited the incident where a foreign protester in Nakuru was seen wielding a panga at armed police officers.

He argued that man was lucky because of the richness of the country's bill of rights.

Kaluma stated that the man, who was reportedly a Ugandan, would not have tried such a thing in his country, where the law is very strict.

"We must avoid situations where we overprovoke our police officers. These police officers, honourable speaker, are going to the level where they may sit back and let people do as they will," he stated.

The legislator further argued that if the police officers gave up on their jobs, the country would be thrown into anarchy and chaos.

Additionally, he cited another incident where a female activist was captured in a video charging at a police officer before trying to remove his mask.

Kaluma also spoke of a law and order officer from the United States who warned Americans about being aggressive towards police officers.

"I don't know, honourable speaker, if you watched what that law and order officer was saying. He said, You abuse our police officers, you will go to jail after you have passed through the hospital. You spit on our police officers, you will go to jail, but you will pass through the hospital because our beautiful dogs will bite you," he added.

"You touch the body of our police officers, he said, your relatives would be called to pick your remains from wherever they are."

The Homa Bay MP further clarified his stance, saying that he is not asking the police to misbehave by going to that extreme.

He asserted that Kenyans should start thinking of enjoying their freedoms while being aware that they have limits.

"If the police officers avoid keeping law and order, there will be a problem. That is not to say that police officers should misbehave. Indeed, those who should be held accountable in the manner we are doing this other ones," Kaluma argued.

The mask vendor, who was identified as Boniface Kariuki, was shot during protests in Nairobi CBD, causing worry about his well-being.

Following this, the father of the young man spoke out, saying he is responding well to treatment.

Kariuki was rushed to the Kenyatta National Hospital after the shooting incident.

Source: TUKO.co.ke