The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has expressed significant concerns regarding the non-cooperation of police commanders and other government agencies during their ongoing investigations.
John Waiganjo, a commissioner at IPOA, has accused senior police officers of creating an unfriendly atmosphere and neglecting to comply with summons, thereby impeding the authority’s ability to fulfil its responsibilities effectively.
“We do not work on our own,” Commissioner Waiganjo emphasized.
Waiganjo revealed that certain investigations have stalled due to their officers being denied access to crucial information necessary for compiling reports.
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“Once we carry out our investigations, other agencies will necessarily take over. However, we have found a very hostile environment where our officers do not get any information when they go out there. When we give out a summons, they are not responded to,” the IPOA commissioner complained.
He clarified that the authority had taken drastic measures to fulfil their responsibility of identifying officers who had unjustly used force against peaceful protesters.
“We are now pushing the matter to the Judiciary to issue warrants of arrest against senior commanders so that they can come and give us information because the public is demanding that we do certain things within our mandate,” he said.
Waiganjo emphasized the seriousness of the issue, noting that most of the deaths under investigation, totalling more than 22, occurred in Nairobi.
IPOA is actively seeking deployment schedules and registers of firearms to ascertain their whereabouts and the officers responsible for them.
However, due to a lack of cooperation from senior police officers, Waiganjo expressed frustration over the perceived ineffectiveness of IPOA’s efforts. This lack of cooperation extends beyond the police force to other government institutions, including Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).
IPOA has faced difficulties in obtaining essential medical records concerning gunshot wounds sustained during recent protests.
“It is a tough assignment indeed, but we are making some progress,” Waiganjo said.
Commissioner Waiganjo recognized the difficulties in locating individuals who were reported as abducted, revealing that many of those publicly reported as abducted have been released without facing charges.
However, for those whose abductions were not officially documented, their current whereabouts remain unknown.
Waiganjo emphasized the need for public understanding of the challenges that the IPOA faces in carrying out its duties.
“We want the public to know the circumstances under which we are working because we have received a lot of flack, particularly from the public online. It is important to put the information out there that the authority can only do as much because we have a mandate, and the mandate is in law and it is restricted,” he said.
The IPOA is tasked with monitoring the behaviour of the police force to promote accountability and transparency. Nevertheless, the reluctance of crucial institutions to cooperate presents a substantial hurdle to fulfilling this mandate.
Seeking judicial intervention marks a pivotal measure by the authority to overcome these challenges and uphold justice.
