Fresh off various cases of violence meted out against police officers and their institutions, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has urged Kenyans to exercise restraint, noting that such acts undermine the rule of law.
Speaking after the killing of a police officers on duty at State House and the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), IPOA noted that such action would erode any progress made in bringing accountability to the police force.
In a statement released on Monday, October 13, IPOA urged members of the public to uphold the rule of law and voice their concerns through legally established channels, not take matters into their own hands.
At the same time, IPOA condemned the incidents, which saw police officers subjected to physical assault and loss of life, while police stations were damaged, and property was destroyed.
“The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is deeply concerned about the rising violence and unacceptable treatment directed towards members of the National Police Service (NPS) by some members of the public. Recent Incidents have highlighted this troubling trend, including the disturbing events at State House, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (KIA), and Kiganjo Police Station in Gatundu, Kiambu County, where police officers were subjected to physical assaults, destruction of property, and, tragically, loss of life,” IPOA noted.
“IPOA urges members of the public to exercise restraint and professionalism when engaging with law enforcement officers,” it added.
On Monday, an officer attached to the General Service Unit (GSU) manning Gate D at State House, Nairobi, was killed after being the victim of a bow-and-arrow attack at the highly-guarded area.
At the time, President William Ruto is said to have been at the premises, forcing his security detail to act fast.
The 56-year-old attacker, identified as Kithuka, is said to have attempted to gain entry into State House but was promptly dismissed. He is believed to have approached the security officers posing as a member of the street families.
Kithuka was carrying a large sack, where he is said to have stuffed the bow and arrows used to assault the officer. According to police, after being chased away, he waited until two other officers were distracted during the clearance of a car at the gate before launching his assault.
Police say he hid behind a car and prepared himself before launching the surprise attack, shooting and injuring Police Constable Ramadhan Mattanka. The officer was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
In the JKIA incident, a GSU officer died on the evening of Sunday, October 12, after an altercation at a hotel in Nairobi.
The incident, which took place at a resort off Mombasa Road in Embakasi, saw the officer engage in a confrontation with a civilian, which escalated to a physical altercation.
A supervisor at the resort further reports that he witnessed an unidentified man strangling the officer within the hotel premises.
In the wake of the altercation, officers from the Embakasi Police Station responded swiftly, only to find the officer's lifeless body submerged in a nearby water-filled trench.
Police have since launched a manhunt for the assailant, whose identity remains under investigation.
At the Kiganjo police station, a section of the facility was torched, destroying critical police infrastructure, which IPOA noted significantly compromised law enforcement operations in the area.
These matters are still under investigation, with police assuring Kenyans of providing updates on their developments.
