The Authority had reported receiving 10 complaints of unlawful arrests, abductions, and disappearances, all in various stages of analysis and investigation.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has hit a stumbling block in ongoing investigations into a series of alleged abductions, amidst huge pressure from members of the public for answers.
In a statement on Friday, July 12, IPOA admitted that it was unable to access eight victims of the sinister abductions allegedly conducted by security officers, a matter that puts in limbo efforts to advocate for justice.
The Authority had reported receiving 10 complaints of unlawful arrests, abductions, and disappearances, all in various stages of analysis and investigation.
IPOA chairperson, Anne Makori. /FILE
“The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is seized of media reports of unlawful arrests, abductions and disappearances of members of the public including participants in the recent anti-Finance Bill protests. It is alleged that the aforementioned unlawful arrests, abductions and disappearances are committed by members of the National Police Service.
“On its own motion, IPOA has so far registered 10 complaints of unlawful arrests, abductions and disappearances which are at different stages of analysis and investigations,” IPOA, through chairperson Anne Makori, stated in part.
Of the 10 cases, eight have been hard to crack conclusively. These include individuals, including Austin Omondi, Gabriel Oguda, John Frank, Drey Mwangi, Shadrack Kiprono (Shad Khalif), Osama Otero, and Leslie Muturi in Nairobi, and Joshua Okayo, President of the Kenya School of Law, allegedly abducted in Kajiado.
The Authority has appealed to the individuals as well as eyewitnesses relevant to the abductions to come forward and provide critical information.
“The victims have since been found alive with allegations of harassment and torture. IPOA is unable to access victims of these unlawful arrests, abductions and disappearances. It, therefore, requests victims and any other relevant eyewitnesses to come forward and record statements to facilitate speedy investigations of these allegations,” added the statement.
It is an especially tricky affair for the case of Joseph Mwangi, who is still missing. IPOA on that note stated that “IPOA requests relevant eyewitnesses to come forward and record statements to facilitate speedy investigations of these allegations.”
Tragically, one of the victims, Denzel Omondi, has been found deceased, as reported by the authority. IPOA stated it had attended the post-mortem, requested police documents, and is calling for any verifiable CCTV footage or photographs from witnesses to aid in the investigation.
Reports of three abductions in Isiolo involving Mukhtar Tache Ali, Nura Abdi Diba, and Issa Osman are also under preliminary assessment, outlining the mountain of work by the authority regarding the unresolved cases.
IPOA, tasked with investigating deaths and serious injuries caused by police actions and police misconduct, has often faced criticism for perceived shortcomings in holding officers accountable. Its mandate includes recommending disciplinary actions or prosecutions to prevent impunity and enhance accountability within the National Police Service.
Its role extends to receiving complaints from the public and police officers alike and initiating independent investigations. The Authority can then refer cases to appropriate bodies and seek court intervention to implement its recommendations.
Human rights organisations have reported a surge in abductions by security forces, with at least 34 individuals allegedly tortured or unaccounted for since mid-June, coinciding with the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests.
Government critics, particularly those who participated in these protests, are living in fear, as highlighted by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) and other groups.
Police officers on horses during Finance Bill protests in Nairobi. /UZALENDO NEWS