Tag: IPOA news

Policing Reforms Threatened By Alarming Rise In Attacks On Officers, IPOA Warns

Posted on by Dennis Elnino

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has voiced grave concern over a troubling surge in attacks and hostility directed at members of the National Police Service (NPS). In a statement released on Monday, IPOA emphasized that this alarming trend poses a significant threat to both public safety and the ongoing progress of crucial policing reforms.

IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan highlighted recent acts of violence, destruction of police property, and the loss of officers’ lives as evidence of mounting tension between certain members of the public and law enforcement.

Incidents Underscore Disturbing Trend

Mr. Hassan cited several disturbing incidents, including A series of attacks near State House in Nairobi, incidents at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) & the torching of a section of the Kiganjo Police Station in Kiambu County, which damaged key infrastructure and hampered local police operations.

Hassan stressed that these violent acts not only endanger officers but also severely undermine efforts to maintain law and order.

“Attacking police officers not only constitutes lawlessness but also undermines the spirit and intent of ongoing police reforms,” he stated. “It risks eroding hard-won progress in enhancing accountability and professionalism in policing.”

Constable Fatally Attacked at State House

The most recent and tragic incident involved the death of Constable Ramadhan Khamisi Matanka, who was fatally attacked while on morning duty outside State House along Dennis Pritt Road.

According to police reports, at approximately 8:15 am, Matanka was conducting routine vehicle inspections with two colleagues when a 56-year-old man, identified as Kinyuka Kinyumi, abruptly approached. Disguised as a street resident and concealing his weapon in a sack, the assailant hid behind a flower bed before drawing a bow and shooting an arrow that struck the officer in the chest.

Constable Matanka was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital but succumbed to his injuries while undergoing emergency treatment.

The assailant was quickly apprehended by officers at the scene and taken into custody. Authorities reported that the suspect claimed he was “sent by Satan” to carry out the attack. Investigations are currently underway to establish his motive.

Call for Calm and Legal Redress

IPOA offered its condolences to the families of those who have lost loved ones and urged security agencies to swiftly investigate and arrest all perpetrators of violence against police officers.

The Authority reminded the public of the importance of the rule of law, urging citizens to exercise restraint and professionalism during interactions with law enforcement. IPOA stressed that any concerns about police misconduct must be reported through established legal channels.

“IPOA therefore urges the public to uphold the rule of law and to seek redress through legally established channels in instances of police misconduct,” the chairperson emphasized. The incident serves as a grim reminder of the daily risks faced by police officers and the critical need for public cooperation to ensure both security and trust.

IPOA Launches Probe Into Brutality During Kenya Protests

Posted on by Dennis Elnino

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has released a preliminary report on police conduct during the nationwide protests on Wednesday, June 25, announcing a full investigation into reported cases of police brutality. IPOA confirmed it had already made initial inquiries into various concerns raised during the demonstrations.

“Per Section 6(c) of the IPOA Act, the Authority this morning, June 25, 2025, launched monitoring operations nationwide, deploying its officers to observe and monitor the conduct of the National Police Service in managing public order during ongoing demonstrations to commemorate the 2024 Finance Bill protests,” IPOA stated. The Authority also noted its collaboration with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights to strengthen monitoring interventions.

Casualties and Concerns from the Protests

IPOA’s report indicated that 24 out of Kenya’s 47 counties were affected by the demonstrations. Initially, 8 deaths were reported, a number that later rose to 11 according to the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC). At least 207 injuries were recorded, including gunshot wounds among the public, and several injuries among police officers.

The Authority also disclosed that 61 suspected protesters had been arrested across the country. A significant concern highlighted by both authorities and the public was the infiltration of the protests by “goons,” raising alarms about potential looting and robbery.

Excessive Force and Constitutional Violations Documented

IPOA’s monitoring team documented extensive damage to both private and public property. They also observed the use of excessive and varied force by police officers, including live ammunition, tear gas, water cannons, whips, and batons. The concealment of police officers’ identities was specifically cited as a violation of the Constitution. Online footage has shown acts of police brutality, with some officers also becoming targets of retaliation from citizens, including one officer who was seriously injured after being physically assaulted by protesters.

Furthermore, IPOA noted significant disruption of free movement and regular public services, such as public transport, policing services, and commercial activities.

Commemoration Turns Violent

The June 25 protests were held to honor the “Gen Zs” who lost their lives during last year’s anti-Finance Bill demonstrations. The most intense confrontations occurred in Nairobi’s Central Business District, where protesters engaged police in running battles. While police initially used tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds, reports suggest they resorted to live bullets as the protests escalated.

14 Officers Grilled By IPOA In Albert Ojwang Murder Probe As Missing CCTV Footage Raises Alarm

Posted on by Dennis Elnino

At least 14 police officers have been questioned by detectives from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) concerning the death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody. The officers, drawn from Nairobi’s Central Police Station and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), are among 18 individuals identified and summoned by IPOA as part of its intensifying investigation into Ojwang’s death.

Ojwang, a prominent activist, died on June 7, 2025, just hours after his arrest in Homa Bay County on claims of “false publication.” His death has triggered widespread public uproar and fervent calls for accountability from all concerned parties.

The summoned officers spent a significant part of Wednesday at IPOA’s offices in Nairobi, providing their statements on the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death. Some attended with legal counsel, while others appeared without representation.

According to internal sources, some police officers claimed that Ojwang was already in a critical condition when he was brought into Central Police Station and alleged they made efforts to save his life upon realizing his deteriorating state. Conversely, DCI officers present stated that Ojwang was in a good condition when he was handed over at the station around 9:35 PM on Saturday.

Central Police Station OCS Under Scrutiny

Samson Taalam, the Officer Commanding Central Police Station (OCS), who is at the epicenter of the probe, has denied any involvement in Ojwang’s alleged torture and subsequent death. Taalam claimed he was only summoned after Ojwang had already been booked into custody and that upon his arrival, he found the suspect in poor health, taking the initiative to rush him to the hospital.

However, DCI boss Amin Mohammed made a bold statement on Wednesday during a Senate grilling session regarding Ojwang’s killing, declaring that Taalam should be treated as the prime suspect in the saga. Amin revealed that investigations have established that Taalam declined to book Ojwang when he was initially presented at the station, raising serious questions about his conduct and potential culpability.

“It has further been confirmed that before the booking, the report office personnel called the OCS, and unfortunately, it is being said that he (Taalam) declined to book the suspect,” Amin told the Senate. “Taalam is the Officer Commanding Central Police Station, and from the totality of things, he should be treated as the prime suspect in the matter.”

Amin clarified that Ojwang was transferred from Homa Bay to Central Police Station because the alleged offense was committed in Nairobi. IPOA has taken over the probe, with the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) giving the authority seven days to submit the investigation file for action.

Crucial CCTV Footage Missing

In a significant development, IPOA Vice Chair Anne Wanjiku revealed before the Senate on Wednesday that the probe into Ojwang’s unexplained death has hit a snag due to missing key CCTV footage from the OCS’s office at Central Police Station. Wanjiku noted that preliminary investigations showed footage that would have been vital in piecing together the events at the police station is missing, raising further questions about the circumstances of the death. Senators are now demanding answers regarding the disappearance of the footage.

Wanjiku added that the autopsy report on Ojwang’s body, coupled with the missing footage, rules out the possibility of suicide as initially reported by the police. “CCTV systems at the OCS office had been interfered with, the postmortem conducted on June 10 revealed the cause of death as head injury due to blunt force trauma, neck compression and multiple subcutaneous bruises all over the body. They rule out the theory of suicide,” she confirmed.

IPOA’s pending tasks include forwarding collected samples from the crime scene and the deceased’s body for further analysis. The investigation continues amidst mounting public pressure for justice and accountability.