The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has summoned over 50 officers regarding their involvement in unlawful acts during the Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations by Gen-Z and the Azimio protests of 2023.
These incidents include deaths, serious injuries, and other alleged misconduct by police officers.
Among those directed to appear before IPOA detectives are 15 senior police commanders, including Bungoma County Police Commander Francis Kooli. They are required to report from Tuesday through Thursday for questioning and statement recording.
In preparation for this, the Kenya Police Service has instructed the officers to meet with their legal representatives on Monday for a briefing before their IPOA appearance.
“Legal officers from this headquarters will meet with concerned officers at the Regional headquarters on September 16 for briefing prior to appearing at the Authority offices on the respective dates,” stated a letter signed by Elizabeth Marube on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General.
Officers listed for investigation include Commander Kooli from the Western region, Kakamega Commander Lucy Kananu, Bungoma South Police Commander Wilson Muraya, and other key officers such as the GSU officer in charge of the Kakamega State Lodge and the head of the Akichelesit Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU).
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The IPOA had previously communicated to the Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service on August 30, highlighting that independent investigations into the deaths and injuries from the Gen-Z and Azimio demonstrations are nearing completion.
“In the course of its investigations, the Authority has established that several police officers were involved during the said police operations that resulted in deaths and serious injuries among other crimes,” the IPOA wrote.
The IPOA Act Section 7(1) grants the Authority the power to request documents and summon both serving and retired police officers.
“On this premise, the Authority requests your office to summon the following 21 police officers to appear before the Authority for interview and statement recording,” IPOA stated in their letter to the police leadership.
Senior officers from Nakuru, including those involved in the shooting of K24 TV journalist Catherine Wanjeri, have already been questioned.
Kananu, for instance, is expected to provide certified copies of police operation orders for June 25, July 2, and July 23, along with all OB entries, police signals, Arms Movement Registers, and details of ammunition distribution.
The incidents under scrutiny include the fatal shootings of Reagan Ouko and Caroline Shiramba on June 25, and Daniel Wanje and December Shivachi on July 23. Additional serious injuries were reported in these events.
In addition, Kananu is supposed to provide a list of all vehicles and motorcycles involved, showing registration numbers and work tickets.
IPOA had earlier warned that failure by the investigations to identify the officers who shot protesters could lead to criminals’ accountability of senior police commanders.
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