IPOA Says Police Killed 57 Kenyans During Anti-Gov’t Protests

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) revealed 57 Kenyans died as a result of police brutality during the anti-government rallies.

According to the authority, 30 of these deaths were recorded in Kisumu, 20 in Nairobi and one each from Kakamega and Nakuru counties.

The toll could be higher because police disguised some of those recorded as accidents or sudden deaths.

The authority made the revelation when they appeared before the National Dialogue Committee on Wednesday.

IPOA revealed it had received several complaints touching on the conduct of Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome saying it intends to act on the complaints soon.

They also complained of frustrations from the DCI.

Read: IPOA Opens Investigations Into Deaths Of Four People in Kajiado

“The challenge sometimes, and I have to bring it carefully, is when we want forensic analysis on the weapon that was used, we sometimes encounter bottlenecks because the lab is under the DCI who is under the NPS and the head is the IG,” said Dr. Walter Ogony, a Commissioner at the authority.

The authority said that between early July and the period within which the country experienced a ceasefire as protests ended, they had received 237 complaints involving 359 complainants.

They are under probe.

Chairperson Ann Makori said they have increased the number of files that are with the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“We have 380 files lying at the DPP… in total we have forwarded more than 500 files.”

Read Also: Nine Dead And Dozens Injured In Anti-Government Protests In Kisumu County As Governor Demands Justice

Commissioner Doreen Muthaura said if the authority can be offered or issued with prosecutorial powers, it will be able to fast track its investigations, not just to punish police officers but to bring justice.

The authority also downplayed the apparent undermining of its role by the IG where he referred to them as busy bodies saying they had their eye on the prize.

“The work that we do is very sensitive…we oversight a service that is allowed to use force, and therefore we think entrenching this entity in law will allow us to serve the people better and our recommendations will be taken seriously.”

Commissioner Waiganjo added: “Let the committee not be worried that the IG can make such a statement and get away with it. It’s important that you know that we have pending complaints against the IG himself.”