Stop harassing us or we strike - Elite cops warn IPOA

Police officers working undercover are threatening to go on a go-slow over alleged harassment by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).

The officers say IPOA has made their work difficult and untenable, claiming the oversight body had a habit of summoning them to record statements over shooting incidents.

Some officers who spoke to the The Nairobian revealed that they had information that their colleagues would be required to record statements over the deaths of two suspected criminals shot dead along Kimathi Street on December 4.

The two were gunned down by a team of plain clothes officers from the Special Crimes Prevention Unit. They were allegedly part of a seven-man gang that planned to raid a shop near Jamia Mall, but their plan was foiled. One of the officers said they have since learnt that IPOA was planning to take action against their colleagues involved in the shooting.

“We now fear IPOA than armed criminals. At this rate, we might as well do nothing and just let the criminals rob and kill,” said the frustrated officer.

But IPOA chairman Macharia Njeru (pictured above) denied allegations of witch-hunt and arbitrary decisions, insisting they work under a legal framework that has never been abused.

“We operate under a strict legal framework. We have no problem with officers who are doing their work in accordance with the law.

Our concern is only with those who break the law. We don’t want to be feared, we need to be respected because whatever we do is in accordance with the law. We are not out to witch-hunt the officers. We respect everybody’s rights, including the police,” he stated.

He said IPOA will demonstrate its impartiality by rewarding exemplary officers from the Criminal Investigation Directorate, Kenya Police and Administration Police. The officers will be honoured in January next year after the exercise was postponed following the resignation of Inspector General David Kimaiyo