Residents of Meru County are still reeling in shock and disbelief following allegations that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is set to prosecute about eighteen security officers in over misconduct.
Some of the security officers are suspected of being involved in murder, rape, defilement, assault, extra-judicial killings and abuse of power among other issues currently under investigations.
One of the latest incidents under investigation are allegations of two police officers associated with rape of a three-year-old minor within Meru County.
The case that has already caused an uproar and protest from the public in Meru town is the alleged shooting and killing of a grade 10 learner by police officers at Kwathambi area near Majengo slums about three weeks ago.
Speaking at Alba hotel in Meru town recently, IPOA Chief Executive Officer Elema Halake said 18 out of 114 cases have been determined so far.
Halake revealed that Eastern region alone had recorded 1,972 active complaints against the police involving misconduct, defilement, assault and misconduct and misuse of power.
“We are not here to punish the police but to hold them accountable for their work and misconduct. We acknowledge concerns over delays in concluding investigations and prosecuting cases. Some investigations involves several agencies and require time to establish the facts before files could be forwarded for prosecution,” said Halake.
Halake said a number of cases are at the (ODPP) and investigations are ongoing assuring Kenyans that no case will be shelved away.
“The authority is actively investigating the incidents. Let me assure the public that no complaint would be swept under the carpet,” said Halake.
He said the prosecutions are among 114 active cases nvolving alleged police misconduct recorded in the county, with the authority warning that officers found culpable will face the full force of the law regardless of their ranks.
He spoke during an engagement with judicial officials, civil society groups and human rights organisations.
In Meru County, Majengo community had called for investigation after a minor was reportedly shot dead by police under unclear circumstances at Kwathambi area in the outskirts of Meru
town.
The victims family and residents of Majengo area had appealed to detectives to launch investigations to establish the cause of the untimely death.
Speaking in Meru town last week, family sources said the deceased was returning home when a plains cloth police officer shot at him at close range before he died instantly on the spot.
The residents later matched to Meru police station to protest against the killing where they demanded for justice.
They alleged that officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Meru town were behind the shooting.
“Our efforts to get any information over the incident have been unfruitful so far. We urge the relevant authorities to intervene and ensure justice prevail. Let the culprits be arrested, prosecuted and punished as per the law, ” said a resident.
On his part, advocate Kuria Karati said officers who visited the scene of crime failed to secure it properly, adding that spent cartridges were not recovered.
“The post-mortem examination had not been done on the deceased body. Police officers who visited the scene of crime also failed to secure it properly. The spent cartridges were not recovered by the time,” said the lawyer.
Kinsmen described the deceased Franklin Munene as an innocent boy with a promising future.
“Munene was in Grade 10 with a dream of pursuing higher education despite hailing from a humble background. We are appealing to the government to ensure the culprits are brought to book at all cost. Culprits should be held accountable by facing the full force of the law,” said a villager.
The deceased body was taken to the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary for postmortem analysis.
Halake said the authority was also pursuing several cases arising from police conduct during the Gen Z demonstrations, with seven cases involving alleged use of excessive force having been forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), while six others were at advanced stages of investigation.
During the Saba Saba protests, IPOA recorded six additional cases relating to alleged police brutality.
“Among the latest incidents under investigation are allegations of two police officers associates with rape of a three-year-old child in Meru, as well an alleged shooting and killing of a grade 10 minor ,” said Halake.
IPOA Chairperson Duncan Ojwang also said the authority had contributed to reforms within the National Police Service noting that public participation was critical in improving relations between security agencies and communities.
He said IPOA was preparing to roll out the Trust47 Initiative across all 47 counties in January, bringing together police officers and members of the public to address mistrust, prevent confrontations and curb abuse of power.
Ojwang, however, challenged Kenyans to respect the law, arguing that disregard for legal procedures and attempts to evade the law sometimes contribute to confrontations with police.
He, however, maintained that cases arising from the Gen Z demonstrations remained active, with several files already before the office of the ODPP and court of law.
“Kenyans need to adhere to the Constitution. It is our behaviour to always look for shortcuts and evade the law, then we come out to blame the police,” he said.
He also urged the Judiciary to prioritise cases involving human rights violations and expedite their determination to ensure victims receive justice.
IPOA Commissioner John Muchiri blamed sections of the political class for fuelling violence by hiring goons to disrupt opponents’ meetings, putting both civilians and police officers at risk.
Muchiri challenged lawyers to take a more active role in ensuring politicians are held accountable, saying no individual should be treated as being above the law.
Meru County Commissioner George Omolo acknowledged that police reforms had improved the security sector noting that mental health challenges among officers sometimes contribute to misconduct and abuse of power.
He called on both police officers and members of the public to respect the law, insisting that accountability should apply to both sides.
“Not all police officers are rogue, but we call upon all police officers and members of the public to respect the constitution since nobody is above the law,” said Omolo.
Ends.
