IPOA Targets Brutalizing Cops: Seeking Justice for Protesters
The Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into the conduct of police officers who have been captured on video in recent months brutalizing demonstrators in Nairobi, Kisumu, and other cities across the country.
Videos that went viral on social media show police officers using excessive force against demonstrators, including kicking, punching, and slapping. Some officers were also observed beating demonstrators with batons.
The IPOA stated in a statement that it is treating the matter seriously and will not hesitate to take action against any officers who violate the law.
“Therefore, the IPOA is investigating cases reported to us and those undertaken on our initiative, including reported gunshot fatalities, injuries to civilians and police, assaults on journalists, and civilian arrests.
“By Chapter Four of the Constitution and Section 24 of the IPOA Act, our investigations will take into account the fundamental rights and freedoms of all individuals involved, including members of the Police Service,” the authority stated.
The IPOA’s investigations come at a time when the Kenyan police’s use of excessive force during Azimio la Umoja’s nationwide protests against President William Ruto’s government is under increasing scrutiny.
In recent months, several high-profile incidents of police brutality have occurred, including the murder of a young man in Mathare.
Additionally, instances of police brutality have been documented in Nairobi and Emali.
Recently, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o accused police officers of attacking innocent people in their residences during a door-to-door operation on Friday, July 21.
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“The Authority also condemns the lawless acts of some members of the public, which tragically resulted in property damage and injuries to several police officers.
“As the NPS strives to contain instances of unlawfulness as mandated by law, the Authority recommends the use of proportionate force as outlined in the Sixth Schedule of the National Police Service (NPS) Act,” the agency said.
As a result of its surveillance operation on police conduct during the demonstrations, IPOA promised to distribute a consolidated report with findings and recommendations to various agencies, including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the National Police Service (NPS).
This pertains specifically to the NPS’s integrity and operational effectiveness in the execution of its mission. In addition, the agency stated that individual investigations will be conducted by their timelines.
IPOA is the state agency charged with investigating allegations of police misconduct. It was founded in 2011 in response to rising concerns regarding police misconduct in Kenya.
“IPOA uses this opportunity to reassure all other concerned individuals and institutions that it is actively complying with Section 6 (c) of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act, which requires the Authority to monitor and investigate policing operations affecting members of the public, and Section 7 of the IPOA Act, which gives the Authority the power to investigate any death or serious injury occurring or suspected to have occurred as a result of a police act.”
In its efforts to improve police accountability, the authority is also analyzing incidents that may have impeded police from performing their primary duty of protecting life and property.
IPOA Targets Brutalizing Cops: Seeking Justice for Protesters