The newly appointed chairman of the board of the Independent Police Oversight Authority Ahmed Issack Hassan already has his work cut out for him when he assumes office.
Hassan who is the former and the inaugural chairman of the independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, was nominated to the position by President William Ruto on Tuesday.
If approved to the position, Hassan, will be tasked with the responsibility of investigating the conduct of the police, coming at a time when the police force has been facing criticism over excessive use of force, forced disappearances and abductions of civilians.
IPOA at present has responsibilities such as investigating deaths and serious injuries caused by police action as well as investigating police misconduct.
It is also responsible for monitoring, reviewing and auditing investigations and action by the Internal Affairs Unit of the police.
Other roles include inspections of police premises, monitoring and investigating policing operations and deployment, reviewing the functioning of the internal disciplinary process and presenting information to the court.
The Authority’s core values include independence, integrity and accountability, impartiality, professionalism and accessibility.
Its objectives include holding the police accountable to the public while performing their functions and to ensure independent oversight of the handling of complaints by the Service.
Hassan, an advocate of the High Court, has over 30 years of experience as a legal practitioner and consultant in various countries such as Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Namibia and Afghanistan.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law (LLB) from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law.
The former IEBC chairman also holds a Diploma in Contemporary Public Administration Management from Galilee International Management Institute, Israel.
Prior to his appointment to the IEBC, he served as the chairperson of the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) from May 2009 to November 2011.
He was appointed IEBC chairman on November 9, 2011, alongside eight other commissioners following a recommendation by Parliament.
Hassan also served as a Commissioner in the Constitution of Kenya Review Commission and as a Legal Consultant to UNDP Somalia in the Somalia Constitution-Making Project.
Ruto also nominated the members of the IPOA board including Ann Wanjiku Mwangi, Micah Onyiego Nyakego, Boniface Kipkemoi Samati, Annette Mbogoh, John Muchiri Nyaga, Kenwilliams Nyakomitah and Jackline Lukalo Mwenesi.
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