The Independent Oversight Policing Authority (Ipoa) is agitating to be given oversight powers over all uniformed security agencies including the Kenya Prison Service, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and Kenya Forest Service (KFS).

According to the newly-appointed chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan, this can only be realised through amendment of its operational statute.

Hassan was speaking to the media after presiding over a one-day North Rift stakeholders meeting at a Eldoret hotel.

The chairperson said his commission is proposing the amendment so as to expand its mandate following public demand across the country.

Hassan said for the long time members of the public have been thinking that they have a mandate to oversee all security agencies, which is not the case.

While welcoming a call from members of the public to start intervening in atrocities netted to the public by security officers from KWS, KFS, Prisons Police and even county government enforcement officers, Hassan said there was a need to give Ipoa the authority to oversight other security organs.

Enhanced mandate

“The current Act mandates Ipoa to investigate complaints against police officers from National police service, for us to investigate other agencies like KWS, KFS among other agencies we are proposing for a legal amendment,” said Hassan.

Human right activists from North Rift have challenged Parliament to fast-track the Bill to ensure sanity in all security agencies. The Security Services Laws (Amendment) Bill 2021 has been in parliament, waiting to be passed into law.

If passed into law, the Bill proposes to expand the mandate of Ipoa, in a bid to rein in other security state agencies involved in unlawful acts and other human rights violations. The Bill was sponsored by Nyamira Senator Okong’o Omogeni.

It seeks to amend the Prisons Act, the National Police Service Act, the IPOA Act, and the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, among others, in order to expand the civilian function of the Ipoa.

Human rights organisations have been pushing for the amendment.