The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has moved to press charges on the police officer suspected to have murdered 13-year-old Hussein Yassin Moyo.
The standard eight pupil was standing on the balcony of his home in Kiamaiko when a bullet hit him in the stomach, three days after the start of the nationwide 7pm to 5am curfew.
“Police officer Duncan Ndiema Ndiwa alias Champes will be charged with murder,” read the statement by IPOA.
Officer Ndema is among five other officers who will be facing different charges pertaining to the death or injury of civilians.
Police officer Lotugh Angórita will be charged with the murder of Ms. Colleta Amondi Ouda, a teacher who was shot while Angórita was responding to a burglary incident at Usigu market, Siaya County.
The other four Festus Kiptoo Saina, Boniface Wambura Chacha, Joseph Mwaniki and Nashaon Adera will be charged for causing grievous harm to Mr. AbdiIbrahim Noor who sustained a fracture in his leg during an arrest near Gateway Hotel, Garissa.
Even though the number of Kenyans who suffer in the hands of police exceeds the number of police officers who have been held accountable, IPOA continues to guarantee legal action on such rogue officers.
“The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions(ODPP) noted that the evidence is sufficient to sustain trials in court. IPOA supports officers in maintaining law and order but will not hesitate to act in accordance with its mandate,” read the statement by IPOA.
The move comes two days after activist Boniface Mwangi went on twitter to condemn the death of a Vaite, a homeless porter who was shot dead in Mathare. Mwangi implicated police in the murder of the homeless man who is said to have died for violating the curfew law.
The same day Vaite died, activists protested at the gates of the United States Embassy at Gigiri demanding that the United States intervene in the ongoing police brutality in Kenya and the death of African Americans in the U.S.
IPOA’s move coincides with that of the United States where the other three officers involved in the murder of George Floyd were charged with aiding and abetting in second-degree murder.
Since the coronavirus Pandemic flushed its talons over the country, many Kenyans have reported being harassed and losing their loved ones in the hands of the police.
The human rights watch has gone on record saying that at least six people died from police violence during the first 10 days of Kenya’s dusk-to-dawn curfew, imposed on March 27, 2020. Since that time, reports have shown police beat and shoot people at markets and even extort money from residents during the curfew hours.
According to the Missing Voices website, 95 cases of police killings have been recorded this year alone. 17 of these cases are related to COVID-19 curfew enforcement.
Even though injustices continue being perpetrated by crooked police officers, The National Police Service Act clearly states that officers must always use non-violence first when handling a situation. The Act also says that following the orders of a superior is no excuse for unlawful use of force.
