Morticians have slammed Inspector General (IG) of Police Japhet Koome for his remarks that Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition hired dead bodies to blame police for brutality during anti-government protests.
In a statement released on Wednesday, August 9, the Umbrella body for morticians challenged the IG to name the culprits who allowed bodies to be hired by the opposition or withdraw his remarks.
Morticians and Allied Professionals of Kenya (MAPAKe) condemned the IG’s remarks saying they were misleading, reckless.
“We condemn the statement made by the Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome because we believe that no mortuary Technician in the Kenya of today can even attempt to do such a thing. The office of the Inspector General is such a respected office to even attempt to lower it to such unimaginable actions.” MAPAKe said.
Also Read: Azimio Hired Dead Bodies- IG Japhet Koome
In addition, MAPAKe stated that morticians are registered, licensed, and regulated by government authority established by an Act of parliament; Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority (KHPOA).
“Mortuary Technicians are no longer rogue, careless, dirty, drunk and reckless uneducated individuals.” The statement reads in part.
Moreover, they highlighted that morticians are governed by ethics and they operate within the laws of Kenya.
“Mortuary Technicians are governed by ethics, chiefly among them being respect and confidentiality of the deceased and respect for the loss, feelings and the right of the bereaved to mourn their loved ones in peace.” MAPAKe stated.
“We work very closely with the Police Service in our day-to-day operations and believe that this position we are taking is very well known to the Inspector General,” the statement added.
Morticians Demand an Apology
MAPAKe now wants the IG of police to withdraw his statement or produce the culprits he says sold bodies to the opposition.
Also Read: You Are Wrong – Karua to IG Koome
“The purpose of the press release, therefore, is to DEMAND the Inspector General to furnish both Kenya Health Professions Oversight Authority and Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentist Board; the two registering, regulating and licensing bodies of Mortuary Technicians and the Mortuary facilities respectively the particulars of those implicated for investigation and if found culpable, necessary disciplinary actions taken again them,” the mortician said.
Similarly, they want IG Japhet Koome to apologize to Kenya if he can’t substantiate his claims.
“Failure to do so, the Inspector General should withdraw his remarks against the facilities as he put it and also the Mortuary practitioners as he also put it in his statement.” The statement added.
Nonetheless, the morticians noted that they serve all Kenyans regardless of tribe, race, class, political alignment or religion.
As such, they opined that it is very unfair for the Inspector General to involve them in matters which do not concern them.
