IPOA Wants Police IG, Adamson Bungei to Provide Identity of Masked Officers Spotted In Nairobi

Masked police officers were spotted patrolling the Nairobi Central Business district while heavily armed.
Masked police officers were spotted patrolling the Nairobi Central Business district while heavily armed.
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The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has demanded that police commanders disclose the identities of masked police officers seen operating in Nairobi. 

This comes amid rising concerns about the legality and accountability of police operations in the city during demonstrations.

IPOA Commissioner John Waiganjo has raised alarm over the conduct of police officers who are failing to display their identification tags and service numbers. 

"The police are clearly breaking the law because it is clear that their officers, even those in uniform, are not displaying their known tags and their service numbers," Waiganjo said.

The acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja in the past briefing to the media on the status of investigation into Kware killings.
The acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja in the past briefing to the media on the status of investigation into Kware killings.
NPS

"Those in civilian clothing are putting on hoodies and you cannot tell who they are. As an authority, we are suspecting there is a unit being sent out there apart from the now ordinary deployment to go and commit atrocities."

Waiganjo also highlighted the critical issue of unidentified platoons operating without proper oversight. 

"If we do not know where the platoons are coming from and we do not know their names, numbers, and arms register, then it is sabotage," he stated. 

"We have witnessed the tooling of the officers, the substance they are using. We know they are not prepared, they are using live bullets, and the substance they are using instead of the water cannon. We have asked to be provided for investigation."

Waiganjo expressed frustration with the lack of cooperation from police commanders, which hampers IPOA's efforts to ensure police accountability. 

"That is why we are calling out Adamson Bungei and the acting Inspector General of Police to give information, or we are going to petition the court to issue a warrant for their arrest because they carry the biggest responsibility," he warned.

The situation in Nairobi has become increasingly dire, with reports indicating that most of the deaths related to recent unrest have occurred in the city, surpassing 22 fatalities. 

Waiganjo emphasized the need for transparency regarding police deployment schedules and arms registers. 

"We need to have deployment schedules and arms registers, and we need to know where those arms are and in whose hands," he said. 

The IPOA's call for transparency and accountability comes at a crucial time, as the public's trust in the police force continues to erode.

Police officers have been accused of causing violence in anti-government demonstrations that have been relatively peaceful.

A photo collage of a man engaging in physical confrontation with two armed police officers near Marikiti Market in Nairobi.
A photo collage of a man engaging in physical confrontation with two armed police officers near Marikiti Market in Nairobi.
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Goddie
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