IPOA under fire after Ojwang's death in custody

Logo of IPOA. [Courtesy]

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is facing growing public criticism for its perceived failure to fulfil its mandate.

This comes in the wake of influencer Albert Ojwang's death in police custody.

Ojwang was arrested by DCI officers in Migori at the weekend, transported to Nairobi, and detained at Central Police Station. He would later be reported dead.

Public outrage has since risen over IPOA's alleged inability to hold police accountable for abductions and deaths across the country.

Kenyans have taken to social media to express deep dissatisfaction with the body tasked with investigating complaints against police officers. Netizens now accuse IPOA of issuing statements often, but failing to take any action against accused officers.

“Knee-jerk reaction. Always moving too slowly and only acting following public outrage, and when all the evidence has been tampered with and cover-up narratives created,’’ X user Antony Alexanderia wrote. “The officers responsible for the deaths of peaceful protestors on June 25, 2024, are yet to be brought to justice,’” he added.

Another user, Vigilante Vanguard, questioned, "Are these the same people who were investigating the killings of the youths at the parliament?"

“It is high time IPOA is disbanded in this country. Do your job. Don't be a flower girl. Cases of police brutality are on the rise,” another user lamented.

This is not the first time IPOA has come under public scrutiny. Last August, during a session of the Constitutional Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC) chaired by Gathoni Wamuchomba, concerns about the Authority’s effectiveness were raised.

Key issues highlighted included a lack of accountability for the excessive use of force during peaceful protests, unlawful raids on citizens’ homes by masked officers, and the abduction of citizens.

“We have 61 deaths recorded from the Gen Z protests,” Wamuchomba noted during the session. “You haven’t been able to arrest or convict those responsible for the abductions, deaths, and violations of human rights. What has IPOA done?” she questioned.

Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo joined the bandwagon, saying; "We want every single officer held accountable. We don’t want excuses from IPOA."