The Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into the conduct of police officers who were captured on video brutalizing protesters in Nairobi, Kisumu and other parts of the country in the past few months.
The videos, which went viral on social media, show the officers using excessive force against the protesters, including kicking, punching, and slapping them. Some of the officers were also seen using batons to beat the protesters.
In a statement, IPOA stated that it is taking the matter seriously and that it will not hesitate to take action against any officers found to have violated the law.
"IPOA is therefore investigating cases reported to us and those undertaken on our own motion including; reported deaths from gunshots, injuries to civilians and police, assault of journalists and arrests of civilians.
"Our investigations will take into account the fundamental rights and freedoms of all the individuals concerned, including members of the Police Service, in accordance with Chapter Four of the Constitution, and as dictated by Section 24 of the IPOA Act," the authority stated.
The IPOA's investigations come at a time when the Kenyan police are under increasing scrutiny for their use of excessive force during Azimio la Umoja's nationwide protests against President William Ruto's government.
In recent months, there have been a number of high-profile cases of police brutality, including the killing of a youth in Mathare.
Cases of police brutality have also been recorded in Nairobi and Emali.
More recently, Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o accused police officers of carrying a door-to-door operation on Friday, July 21, during which they attacked innocent people in their homes.
"The Authority also condemns the acts of lawlessness by some members of the public, which sadly culminated in the loss of property and injuries to a number of police officers.
"As the NPS strives to contain instances of unlawfulness as mandated by the law, the Authority recommends the use of proportionate force as outlined in the Sixth Schedule of the National Police Service (NPS) Act," the agency stated.
As an output of its monitoring operation on the conduct of police during the demonstrations, IPOA promised to release a consolidated report with findings and recommendations to various agencies including the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) and the National Police Service (NPS).
This is specific to the wholesome conduct and operational efficiency of the NPS in the execution of its mandate. Besides this, the agency stated the arising individual investigations will take their own course to conclusion.
IPOA is a state agency that is responsible for investigating complaints of police misconduct. It was established in 2011 in response to growing concerns about police brutality in Kenya.
"IPOA thus takes this opportunity to reassure all other concerned individuals and institutions that it is actively living up to Section 6 (c) of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act, which requires the Authority to monitor and investigate policing operations affecting members of the public and Section 7 of IPOA Act which gives powers to the Authority, to investigate, any death or serious injury occurring or suspected to have occurred as a result of police action.
Further, in its quest to enhance police accountability, the authority is also analysing the events that may have obstructed police in executing its core function of protecting life and property.
