IPOA Seeks Clarity: Demands Identity of Masked Officers and Explanation of Chemicals Used in Protest Control
The IPOA has urged police commanders to reveal the identities of masked officers observed working in Nairobi, amidst increasing concerns regarding the legality and accountability of police actions during city demonstrations.
John Waiganjo, a commissioner at IPOA, has expressed concern about officers who are not displaying their identification tags and service numbers.
“The police are breaking the law because it is clear that their officers, even those in uniform, are not displaying their known tags and their service numbers,” Waiganjo said.
“Those in civilian clothing are putting on hoodies and you cannot tell who they are. As an authority, we suspect there is a unit being sent out there apart from the now ordinary deployment to go and commit atrocities.”
Waiganjo emphasized the significant concern of unidentifiable platoons operating without adequate supervision.
“If we do not know where the platoons are coming from and we do not know their names, numbers, and arms register, then it is sabotage,” he stated.
“We have witnessed the tooling of the officers, the substance they are using. We know they are not prepared, they are using live bullets, and the substance they are using instead of the water cannon. We have asked to be provided for investigation.”
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Waiganjo voiced dissatisfaction regarding the inadequate cooperation from police commanders, which impedes IPOA’s efforts to ensure police accountability.
“That is why we are calling out Adamson Bungei and the acting Inspector General of Police to give information, or we are going to petition the court to issue a warrant for their arrest because they carry the biggest responsibility,” he warned.
The situation in Nairobi has worsened, with reports indicating that the majority of recent unrest-related deaths, totaling over 22 fatalities, have been concentrated in the city.
Waiganjo stressed the importance of transparency concerning police deployment schedules and records of firearms.
“We need to have deployment schedules and arms registers, and we need to know where those arms are and in whose hands,” he said.
Address the IPOA’s demand for transparency and accountability is critical now, given the ongoing erosion of public trust in the police force.
Allegations have surfaced accusing police officers of instigating violence during otherwise peaceful anti-government protests.
IPOA Seeks Clarity: Demands Identity of Masked Officers and Explanation of Chemicals Used in Protest Control
