A police officer is due in court today in connection with a rape incident at Sega police post, Ukwala in Siaya county on April 12, 2021.
According to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), investigations revealed that Police Constable Cosmas Chirchir raped a woman inside a holding cell.
The woman had been arrested on accusations of not wearing a face mask on April 12, 2021.
“Upon release from custody she reported the beastly attack at Ukwala police station, and the Authority took up the matter for investigation,” Chairperson Anne Makori said.
On the strength of the authority’s investigation, they recommended to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions that Chirchir be charged with the sexual offense.
Upon the review of the case file, the ODPP concurred that there was sufficient evidence to charge the officer with rape and an additional charge of abuse of office.
“Offences against the person are taken very seriously by the Authority. They leave physical and emotional wounds long after the ugly incidents occur. The Authority has, therefore, invested a lot of resources to ensure complaints about sexual offenses are responded to within the stipulated timelines,” read the authority’s statement.
Separately, four police officers are due for arraignment today on various charges including assault and disobeying IPOA summons at the Bondo law courts.
The Authority investigated the four after Samuel Odongo Okwero, was inflicted with injuries after a routine police stop at Usenge Township, Siaya county on December 7, 2016.
The victim had been stopped by the four police officers for a routine check at Usenge Township in Siaya county.
A case file containing findings of the investigation was forwarded to the ODPP, with recommendations to charge the officers.
On directions of the ODPP, after independently reviewing the file, Constables Sammy Kirui of Kamagambo police station and Nicholas Ndalo of Ukwala Police station are scheduled to be charged with “assault, causing actual bodily harm.”
Further, the former is to be charged alongside Constables Daniel Kimori of Uriri police station and Felix Maobi of Isebania police station who face an extra charge of disobeying IPOA summons contrary to section 31 (1) (a) of IPOA Act.
ODPP further directed that an identification parade be conducted, with the aim of identifying two other officers who may have been involved in the assault.
“The Authority, by issuing summonses gives officers an opportunity to explain their deeds. However, some have gone ahead to disregard the summons. Doing so will not keep our investigations in limbo, it will only attract extra charges and it is important for all officers to understand this,” added Makori.