‘Too little, too late’ – Karua unimpressed with IPOA’s police investigation
By Joel Sang, July 23, 2023Narc Kenya leader Martha Karua has told the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to condemn the excessive use of force by the police during the anti-government protests.
On Saturday, July 22, 2023, IPOA confirmed they had initiated an investigation into how the police conducted themselves while dealing with protestors during demonstrations called by the Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya alliance.
Karua’s demand
But Karua, a co-principal in the opposition outfit, has stated that IPOA should condemn the excessive use of force if their investigation is to make sense.
“If you cannot outrightly condemn the use of manifestly excessive force by the police and the use of ununiformed, armed police in demonstrations pending investigations, then it’s a case of too little, too late,” Karua said in a statement.
In its quest to enhance accountability on the part of the members of the National Police Service, IPOA said they are investigating various acts, including assaults on journalists.
“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,” IPOA said in a statement while confirming the inception of their own investigation.
Meanwhile, Karua’s demand comes after three days of demonstrations organized by the opposition last week. Azimio has lined up another anti-government protest that will be conducted on Wednesday.
The police have always found themselves on the receiving end of claims of forceful dispersal of protests across various counties in the country.
Kisumu’s data
Specifically, reports of inhumane treatment of civilians have been reported in Nyalenda Estate in Kisumu, and indeed, the county’s deputy governor, Mathews Owili, released data on victims of the demonstrations.
According to the top county official, 92 people are undergoing treatment at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH), with nine nursing bullet wounds.