The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) chairperson Anne Makori castigated Inspector General Japhet Koome for terming them as a 'busy body' agency.
Makori, in a statement released on Saturday, December 17, chided the Inspector General who gave the police a 'shoot to kill' order while handling suspects.
"Our attention is drawn to the unfortunate and dangerous statement attributed to the Inspector General of Police Eng. Japhet Koome yesterday where he gave police officers a shoot to kill order against suspected criminals," reads the statement.
Further, Makori intimated that for the last ten years that the Authority has been in existence, it strived to ensure Kenyans' confidence in the men and women in uniform increased.
"IPOA has made policy recommendations that have reduced crime by embedding the police to live within communities, helped realise a functional Internal Affairs Unit, informed acquisition of police vehicles for rapid response and officer safety in operations," the statement continued.
However, the Authority noted that many police officers have acted within the confines of the law, and the circumstances for the use of force and firearms are well spelt out in the legislation.
IPOA added that most officers follow the law, noting that out of 20,000 complaints against the police, only 500 files have been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions with recommendations to charge.
"In all, the Authority wishes to remind police officers where criminal culpability has been established, that is after investigations, it is individuals who have been called to account: not the Service, not a Unit and it is expected that there will be compliance with the Sixth Schedule, Part C on specific responsibilities of superior officers from issuing unlawful orders," Makori communicated.
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome, on Friday, December 16, openly differed with Independent Policing Oversight Authority over the latter's stand on firearm use by the police.
IG, who spoke in Nairobi, urged his officers not to hesitate to use firearms if prompted while executing their mandate.
“Officers, we don’t want to hear you’ve been hurt, your hand cut, yet you have a gun. Count on the IG to stand with you.
"We have a committed CS. Do not be cowed by the busybodies who keep on calling for the arrest of police officers. Today we are mourning, and I don’t see them anywhere,” he declared
