Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome Kanja is facing a storm of criticism from the public and the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) after he was spotted attending and addressing residents at a political rally hosted by President William Ruto in the Mount Kenya region.

Videos and photos of IG Kanja’s presence at the event have gone viral on social media, sparking outrage among Kenyans who argue that the country’s top cop should remain politically neutral. His speech, delivered during the rally, has further intensified the backlash, with critics claiming it was inappropriate and contrary to the expectations of his office.

The Law Society of Kenya swiftly released a statement condemning Kanja’s actions, calling it a “blatant violation of the constitutional principles of impartiality and professionalism” expected from the National Police Service.

“The Inspector General’s participation in a political function undermines public trust in the police and blurs the lines between state security organs and partisan politics,” said LSK President Faith Odhiambo. “Such actions threaten the independence of the police and erode public confidence in the rule of law.”

Many Kenyans took to social media expressing their frustration, accusing Kanja of aligning the police force with the Kenya Kwanza government. “How can we trust the police to protect all Kenyans equally when the IG is cheering at political rallies?” asked one X user.

Kanja has yet to respond publicly to the backlash. However, sources close to the police command say the Inspector General maintains he was attending in his capacity as a government official to oversee security operations, not to engage in politics.