The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the civilian oversight body against police has today received four vehicles donated by the US government to enhance their operations.
During the handover ceremony held today at the IPOA headquarters in Nairobi and presided over by authority’s chairperson Anne Makori, US Deputy Chief of Mission Mark Dillard representing US Ambassador to Kenya, Her Excellency Ambassador Margaret Whitman said Kenya and the US government will continue to work towards the demilitarisation of the police service.
Makori added that they will continue to hold police accountable for excesses in the line of duty and continuously reinforce authority’s capacity to widen its reach and enhance delivery to Kenyans.
“We note that it is barely two months since Her Excellency Ambassador Margaret Whitman was posted to Kenya to represent the United States, a country that has a historical relationship with Kenya on many fronts including security. We cannot understate the fact that as part of her priorities, she has found it befitting to prioritise policing and particularly civilian oversight.” Makori stated.
On his part, Dillard noted that the two governments continue to be in active demilitarisation of the police, reduction of excessive use of police force and general observance of human rights conformance.
He also congratulated Kenyans for conducting peaceful elections and assured Kenyans of commitment to contributing towards a professional citizen – focused police service.
“The US, has over a thousand police departments under the control of various levels of administration including states, metropolitans and counties among others. Thus, there is much to be shared between our countries when it comes to police oversight,” D illard said.
The two parties have affirmed commitment of working together in ensuring the peace, tranquility and good governance and conduct amongst the men in blue and public in general.
IPOA has received the four vehicles from the US government and is expected to receive four more as part of the agreement.
The vehicles will be used in Garissa, Kakamega, Meru and Mombasa regions.
The trucks which have off-road drive capabilities will reduce the turnaround time to help ease reported complaints as is at the moment from when a complaint is received to the time the response is made.
The move is expected to enhance relations between the two countries.
“As stated, US – Kenya relationship is historical. If I may revisit recent engagements it was greatly strengthened by the signing of a bilateral agreements between Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Barrack Obama in 2015 in Nairobi that in part touched on security,” claimed Makori.