Alarm over surge in police killings after Kitengela shooting
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into the fatal shooting of a 28-year-old man during a political rally in Kitengela, the latest in what critics say is a worrying surge in police-linked killings across the country.
In a statement, IPOA confirmed it had deployed a rapid-response team to Kitengela to independently probe the incident that occurred on Sunday, February 15, 2026, as police attempted to maintain order during political rallies in Kajiado and Mombasa counties.
The authority said investigations would seek to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting, determine the extent of police involvement, and assess whether the use of force was lawful, necessary and proportionate under Kenyan law.
The victim, identified by opposition leaders as Vincent Ayomo, a garage worker, was allegedly shot while on his way home from work.
“The investigations aim to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident, determine the extent of police involvement, assess whether the use of force was justified, and evaluate whether it was proportionate as defined by law,” the oversight authority said.
Leaders allied to the embattled Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary General Edwin Sifuna’s led faction accused President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen of bearing responsibility for what they described as escalating police brutality.
In a joint statement, Siaya Governor James Orengo, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino termed the killing “senseless and needless” and demanded swift accountability.
“It has now been confirmed that one person lost their life in Kitengela yesterday. The Police shot and killed 28-year-old Vincent Ayomo. This is another senseless and needless killing,” the statement read, demanding justice and accountability.
IPOA, acting under its mandate in the IPOA Act and the National Police Service Act, said it would make its findings public and recommend action against any officers found culpable.
The authority extended condolences to the victim’s family and reiterated its commitment to ensuring transparency in investigations involving deaths and serious injuries caused by police action.
The Kitengela case marks the third fatal police shooting under IPOA investigation in roughly a month, underscoring mounting concern over the frequency of lethal force incidents.
On February 9, 2026, IPOA opened a probe into the death of 21-year-old Kenya Medical Training College student Sheril Adhiambo, who was shot in Huruma, Nairobi, during a police operation targeting suspected robbers. Her death sparked protests and clashes between residents and officers.
In January, IPOA also began investigating the fatal shooting of George Gathu Matheri in Karatina, Nyeri County, during a confrontation with patrol officers. A police officer suspected of firing the fatal shot was arrested and detained.
IPOA Vice Chairperson Ann Wanjiku Mwangi said investigators are collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses and reviewing operational conduct to determine compliance with the law.
Kenya’s constitution requires police to use force only when strictly necessary and proportionate. However, rights groups argue that enforcement remains inconsistent, with slow investigations and rare prosecutions fueling public mistrust.
By the time of publication, the Interior Ministry and the National Police Service had not issued a comprehensive response to the Kitengela shooting, even as pressure mounts over what many view as a troubling spike in police-linked fatalities.
