Kanja orders police to support IPOA probes amid pressure over Gen Z protest killings
In a memo to all police commanders and heads of formation units, Kanja now wants the police to assist IPOA with the necessary documentation and information they need to expedite their probe.
The mounting pressure on police accountability during last year's Gen Z protests has seen the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja direct police to cooperate with detectives from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
On Tuesday, IPOA Chairman Issack Hassan, while issuing a status update on the authority's probe of the killings that happened during the protests held in June last year, complained that some cases had lagged due to non-cooperation by the police.
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"The authority also observed instances of non-cooperation from both police officers and witnesses, which has hampered the progress of some investigations," he said, adding that the board had resorted to engaging the national police command to address this challenge and ensure justice for all victims.
As a result of the non-cooperation, several files forwarded by IPOA to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions have since been returned to the authority for firming up.
In a memo to all police commanders and heads of formation units, Kanja now wants the police to assist IPOA with the necessary documentation and information they need to expedite their probe.
"The attention of the Inspector General has been drawn to concerns raised by IPOA regarding instances of non-cooperation by some commanders during the authority's investigations. He reiterates the need for the service to take cognisance of IPOA's constitutional and statutory mandate, which empowers them to investigate and obtain information. He therefore directs that all commanders should henceforth cooperate fully with IPOA officers and provide the necessary assistance, documentation or information they may require during their investigations," the memo reads.
This comes barely a day after the Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen vowed to ensure that rogue police officers face criminal culpability for excesses committed on duty.
"I have come here to tell our police officers – you have our support; we will not be unfair to a police officer who found himself in a situation where his life was in danger and they tried to protect themselves. We will also not protect a rogue officer who has gone out of his way, on his own volition, to harm members of the public," said the CS during his working tour of Isiolo County.
The Monday shooting and killing of five civilians by police officers in Narok County over a land dispute has added to the push for police accountability over their use of force against the public.
The matter is under active probe by IPOA.
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