The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has appealed for the public to get more information on unlawful arrests, abductions, and forced disappearances during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests.
In a statement issued on Friday, July 12, 2024, IPOA said it has been unable to access some of the victims of unlawful arrests and abductions.
Among the victims IPOA says it has been unable to access are popular online commentator and columnist Gabriel Ogunda and social media influencer Kelvin Monari, alias Osama Otero.
Others are Dr. Austin Omondi alias Japrado, John Frank, Drey Mwangi, Shadrack Kiprono alias Shad Khalif, Leslie Muturi, and Joshua Okayo.
Harassment and torture
IPOA says that the above victims have been found alive with allegations of harassment and torture, but IPOA is unable to access them.
The police watchdog has, therefore, requested them and any other eyewitnesses to appear before them and record statements to facilitate speedy investigations.
“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 eye witnesses to come forward and record statements to facilitate speedy investigations of these allegations,” IPOA said in the statement.
IPOA in the statement listed one victim, Joseph Mwangi, whom it said is still missing, and appealed for the public and eyewitnesses to record statements to aid investigations.
In the case of Denzel Omondi, the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) whose body was recovered at a quarry in Juja, IPOA says it has since attended a post-mortem and has requested police documents to facilitate their investigations.
IPOA’s appeal for CCTV footages
The authority has also appealed for public help in getting verifiable CCTV footages and photographs to help uncover Danzel Omondi’s mysterious death.
IPOA further appealed for eye witness accounts from any other person who may have information on the disappearances and any other complaint under them, to volunteer information, CCTV footage and photographs.
Those with information have been urged to call toll free through 1559 or 0204906000.
“IPOA appeals for eye witness accounts from any person who may have information on the disappearances and any other complaint under IPOA investigations to kindly volunteer information, CCTV footage and photographs to advance its investigations.
“To offer information, you can call toll free through 1559 (free of charge) or 0204906000. IPOA also informs the general public that it has an anonymous reporting platform. IPOA remains steadfast in its commitment to conduct its investigations with utmost independence, impartiality, fairness, and neutrality,” IPOA said.
Allegations of Police Involvement in the Unlawful Arrests, Abductions and Disappearances. #PoliceAccountability#GuardingPublicInterestInPolicing ^EM pic.twitter.com/BiiNSuA5H1
— IPOA (@IPOA_KE) July 12, 2024
IPOA has previously urged the public to volunteer information regarding the fatal shooting of Rex Kanyike Masai, who turned out to be the first victim of the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests.