The National Assembly has approved Issack Hassan, the former Chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), to lead the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
The Assembly confirmed Hassan’s approval, along with that of several others, as members of the IPOA Board.
“The National Assembly has approved the following individuals for appointment as Chairperson and as Members of the Board of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority,” the statement read.
Those approved as members of the IPOA Board include Ann Wanjiku Mwangi, Dr. Micah Onyiniego Nyakego, Boniface Kipkemoi Samati, Dr. Annette Mudola Mbogoh, John Muchiri Nyaga, Kenwilliams Nyakomitah, and Jackline Lukalo Mwenesi.
This approval follows President William Ruto’s nomination of the new IPOA leadership on 12 November. The President will make the official appointments following the National Assembly’s approval.
As Chairman of IPOA, Hassan will be tasked with investigating the conduct of the police, at a time when the force has faced criticism for excessive use of force, forced disappearances, and abductions of civilians.
IPOA’s responsibilities include investigating deaths and serious injuries caused by police action, as well as addressing instances of police misconduct.
It is also responsible for monitoring, reviewing, and auditing the investigations and actions of the police’s Internal Affairs Unit.
Other duties include inspecting police premises, monitoring and investigating police operations and deployments, reviewing the functioning of internal disciplinary processes, and presenting information to the courts.
The Authority’s core values include independence, integrity, accountability, impartiality, professionalism, and accessibility.
Its objectives include holding the police accountable to the public while performing their functions and ensuring independent oversight of complaints handled by the police service.
Hassan, an advocate of the High Court, has over 30 years of experience as a legal practitioner and consultant in 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 the Galilee International Management Institute, Israel.
Before his appointment to the IEBC, Hassan served as Chairperson of the Interim Independent Electoral Commission (IIEC) from May 2009 to November 2011.
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