Probe into the killings of 4 protestors, Kianjakoma brothers completed, IPOA says
The police oversight body has confirmed that investigations into the killings of four protestors at Masimba in Kajiado county and the death of two Kianjokoma brothers in Embu county have been completed and the matter is in court.
Speaking while addressing the media the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) chairperson Anne Makori said that the office of the Director of Public Prosecution (ODPP) has taken up the matter.
“Investigations on the matter have been completed, recommendations made and the office of the ODPP has agreed with IPOA’s Investigations,” said Makori.
The authority has commenced investigations and audit of the recently disbanded special service unit SSU and other formations within the National Police Service to establish the propriety of their operations and level of professionalism, this follows the accusation of the units’ involvement in many cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearance of people in Kenya.
Makori also indicated that there are ongoing investigations of police involvement in cases of alleged enforced disappearance of 112 victims including of Zulfiqar Ahmed Khan, Zaid Sami Kidwai, both Indian nationals and their Kenyan driver Nicodemus Mwania in July 2022 in Nairobi.
IPOA CEO Elema Halake said that the investigation of the disappearance of the Indian nationals began immediately and they found information of involvement of the police.
“We started off this investigation when we got wind the police may have been involved particularly the SSU and the investigation s began two weeks ago,” said Halake.
However, the authority says that they face challenges in administration of their duty due to non-cooperation by some members of the national police service noting that working with the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) in the national police could hinder their chances of doing comprehensive investigation as the police cannot investigate themselves.
“In view of this, the authority wishes to affirm that it will invoke the provisions of section 31 of the IPOA Act,” said Makori
Despite having an independent budget, IPOA said they are always targets for budget cuts.
Investigations are also going on in the incidents in which 25 dead bodies were recovered from river Yala as well as the incident in which 13 dead bodies were also recovered from river Tana, all on diverse dates noting that their preliminary findings indicate that the nature of injuries sustained or cause of death point to same or similar perpetrators.
Upon completion of investigations, which will be expedited observing the principle of impartiality and the rules of natural justice as provided by Section 4(2) of its Act, the authority will publish and publicise its findings and make appropriate recommendations.
