Security agencies in Mombasa convened a reconciliatory meeting a day after a video showing Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) officers in an altercation with Kenya Police officers sparked outrage.
In the meeting held at the Likoni ferry crossing channel, senior officers from the KDF and Kenya Police agreed to uphold mutual respect towards each other to avoid a repeat of the widely criticized incident.
Among those present at the meeting were Kenya Navy Base Commander Lt Col John Mutabari, Likoni Deputy County Commissioner Mwangi Wambugu, and Likoni OCPD Geofrey Ruheni.
Also present were officials from the Kenya Ferry Services and Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) Manager Security Services Tony Kibwana.
In addition, the security agencies represented in the truce meeting agreed to keep communications channels open to avoid misunderstanding and ensure coordination.
After the meeting, representatives of all sides were seen cordially shaking hands and even posed for a photo signaling a new order of harmony between the disciplined forces.
The meeting came a day after widespread condemnation of the incident where officers drawn from the KDF were seen assaulting a private security guard and police officers manning the Likoni Ferry channel.
Also Read: KDF Clarifies Soldiers Storming & Assaulting Police Officers
In the Saturday, April 27, two people including a police officer sustained injuries from the altercation that left tongues wagging with some people calling for action.
KDF Response to Likoni Ferry altercation
Responding to the incident, KDF issued a statement promising to carry out investigations to establish the genesis of the altercation. The military also condemned the act terming regrettable and contradiction of its core value of professionalism.
“To establish the circumstances leading to the incident, Military Police and requisite investigation agencies are currently handling the matter,” the statement read in part.
“The incident is highly regrettable. As KDF personnel, we are beholden to the core value of professionalism.”
Also Read: KDF Responds After Uproar Over Soldiers Caught Beating Police
This, whoever, was not the first time members of Kenya’s disciplined forces raised eyebrows over their conduct and respect to each other.
On April 17, four KDF soldiers were arrested after reportedly disarming and assaulting a police officer in Lodwar, Turkana County.
The arrest then led to another alarming incident where KDF soldiers reportedly stormed the police station demanding the release of their colleagues to cause yet another incident.
At the time KDF refuted the claims that its officers had stormed a police station and called for respect towards the institution.
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