The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has confirmed it is investigating police conduct during recent public demonstrations.

IPOA says it received numerous complaints, monitored the conduct of the law enforcers, and is now investigating them.

There have been widespread clashes between the police and demonstrators during the protests called by the opposition outfit, Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya Coalition.

IPOA probe

“On July 13, 2023, IPOA released a statement to inform Kenyan state and state and non-state institutions that it was actively monitoring how the police conducted public order management and was also actively taking up for investigation any matter that fell under its mandate. 

“IPOA thus takes this opportunity to reassure all other concerned individuals and institutions that it is actively living up to 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 powers to the Authority, to investigate, “any death or serious injury occurring or suspected to have occurred as a result of police action,” IPOA said in a statement.

Police accountability

Injuries, assault, and forceful arrests are the main issues that have been reported against the police during the anti-government rallies, and IPOA has emphasized that it will investigate them to their logical conclusion.

“Further, in its quest to enhance police accountability, the authority is also analysing the events that may have obstructed police in executing their core function of protecting life and property.

“IPOA is therefore investigating cases reported to us and those undertaken on our own motion, including; reported deaths from gunshots, injuries to civilians and police, assaults of journalists, and arrests of civilians. Our investigations will take into account the fundamental rights and freedoms of all the individuals concerned, including members of the Police Service, in accordance with Chapter Four of the Constitution and as dictated by Section 24 of the IPOA Act,” the agency added.

IPOA condemns lawlessness

Apart from vowing to investigate members of the National Police Service, the authority also condemned the members of the public who took part in property destruction.

“The authority also condemns the acts of lawlessness by some members of the public, which sadly culminated in the loss of property and injuries to a number of police officers.

“As the NPS strives to contain instances of unlawfulness as mandated by the law, the Authority recommends the use of proportionate force as outlined in the Sixth Schedule of the National Police Service (NPS) Act.” the statement reads in parts.

IPOA also promised that its investigations will be guided by principles of fairness and impartiality.

“As an output of its monitoring operation on the conduct of police during the demonstrations, IPOA will release a consolidated report with findings and recommendations to various agencies, including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution and the National Police Service.

“This is specific to the wholesome conduct and operational efficiency of the NPS in the execution of its mandate. Besides this, the individual investigations will take their own course to conclusion. IPOA remains independent, impartial, fair, and apolitical in all its investigations.” the statement added.