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Court-ordered evictions put us in dilemma, police officers tell IPOA

IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori with Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha and other officials during her working tour of the Coast region on February 19, 2024. (Photo: Farhiya Hussein)

By Farhiya Hussein | 19 Feb 2024

They say that despite following procedures, the finger is always pointed at them in case of wide media coverage and complaints from the public and politicians.

Concerns were raised Monday on the enforcement of court orders for evictions, with police officers saying they were at a crossroads on what ought to be done as they always take the blame for injustices.

They discussed the matter with officials of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), led by chairperson Anne Makori, who were on a working tour of the Coast region, to discuss critical issues within the National Police Service (NPS) with the region's police bosses.

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The officers noted that the procedure entails receiving orders, carrying out socio-economic assessments of the areas in dispute, and then preparing reports for their seniors, submitted through stipulated channels within the NPS. In some instances, they said, the head office greenlights the eviction.

They noted that despite following the procedure, the finger is always pointed at them in case of wide media coverage and complaints from the public and politicians.

The officers also noted that the courts hold them in contempt should enforcement be delayed for reasons including bureaucracy and communication lapses.

Other discussions were about conditions police officers face on the frontlines and the prevalence of mental illness across the ranks.

Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha emphasised the importance of IPOA's engagement with grassroots police officers to better understand their challenges and address them effectively.

IPOA chairperson Anne Makori, who led the discussions, said that by addressing these and other issues, the authority aims to enhance policing standards and promote public trust.

Makori pledged to present policy recommendations aimed at developing standard operating procedures to regulate the enforcement of court orders, ensuring fairness and accountability within the NPS.

She also attended the opening of Haki Centre, a community justice centre in Kisauni, Mombasa County, an event which brought together civil society organisations and members of the public.