Kenya Insights

Tag: IPOA

  • Police Used Excessive Force on Protesters Resulting in 65 Deaths, IPOA Reports

    Police Used Excessive Force on Protesters Resulting in 65 Deaths, IPOA Reports

    The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has condemned Kenya’s police force for using disproportionate force during recent protests, leading to 65 civilian deaths across the country.

    In a damning report released Thursday, IPOA revealed that the fatalities occurred during four major demonstrations between June and July 2025, including the June 25 anti-Finance Bill commemorative protests and the Saba Saba demonstrations on July 7.

    The oversight body documented widespread violations of constitutional policing standards, with officers treating peaceful protests as riots and deploying lethal crowd control measures that contravened Article 37 of the Kenyan Constitution.

    “Police dispatched to quell the riots used lethal crowd control measures that resulted in fatalities,” the IPOA report stated, highlighting significant breaches that included unprofessional conduct and failure to uphold public safety.

    Systemic Failures Exposed

    IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan pointed to multiple systemic issues, including police officers operating without name tags, using vehicles with concealed number plates, and commanders hiding their rank insignia during operations.

    The authority also criticized police for failing to intervene when counter-protesters, some allegedly hired by business owners, infiltrated peaceful demonstrations with crude weapons and motorcycles.

    Officers Left Without Basic Provisions

    In a troubling revelation, IPOA found that police officers deployed during the protests were not provided with meals, water, or allowances throughout their deployment.

    Despite this, 171 officers sustained injuries during the demonstrations.

    “The Inspector General of Police should allocate sufficient budget to ensure that meals, water and allowances are provided for police officers deployed during protests,” IPOA recommended.

    Mass Arrests

    The protests resulted in 1,126 arrests, with 223 suspects arraigned in court.

    The highest number of arrests occurred during the July 7 Saba Saba protests, where 720 people were detained.

    IPOA has called for comprehensive reforms, including the use of body cameras by officers, proper identification of all police personnel, and establishment of dedicated medical units for protest areas.

    The authority has committed to continued monitoring of police operations to ensure accountability and adherence to constitutional policing standards.

  • IPOA Denies Exonerating DIG Lagat in Ojwang’s Murder Probe

    IPOA Denies Exonerating DIG Lagat in Ojwang’s Murder Probe

    Investigation into teacher’s death in police custody remains active as legal challenges mount

    The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has moved swiftly to dispel reports suggesting it has cleared Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat in connection with the murder of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang.

    In a statement released Monday, IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan categorically denied the circulating reports, describing them as “misleading” and emphasizing that investigations into Ojwang’s death remain “active.”

    “IPOA’s investigation is still active, and therefore, the reports that the Authority has exonerated Lagat are misleading,” the statement read. “If the investigations find him culpable, IPOA will make appropriate recommendations to hold him to account.”

    The clarification comes as public scrutiny intensifies over the circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death on June 8, 2025, while in custody at the Central Police Station.

    DIG Eliud Lagat.
    DIG Eliud Lagat.

    The case has become a flashpoint for concerns about police accountability and the treatment of suspects in custody.

    The IPOA statement coincided with ongoing court proceedings where activist Eliud Matindi has challenged Lagat’s potential return to office.

    However, High Court Justice Chacha Mwita declined to issue interim orders blocking Lagat from resuming his duties, instead directing the Deputy Inspector General to file his official response by July 23.

    The legal maneuvering reflects the broader public interest in ensuring accountability in a case that has captured national attention.

    Matindi’s court challenge, while lacking detailed public specifics, appears to question the propriety of Lagat’s continued tenure given the ongoing investigations.

    Lagat’s current situation stems from his decision to step aside on June 16, 2025, following sustained public pressure over Ojwang’s death.

    In his statement at the time, Lagat cited his “responsibilities” and the “ongoing nature of the investigations” as reasons for temporarily vacating his role.

    “In the good and conscious thought of my role and responsibilities as the Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Service and in view of the ongoing investigations into the unfortunate incident of the death of Albert Ojwang, I have today opted to step aside,” Lagat stated.

    The move came after several police officers on duty at the Central Police Station during Ojwang’s detention were suspended, signaling the seriousness with which authorities were treating the incident.

    IPOA has indicated that preliminary investigations have identified suspects who have since been arraigned in court, though the authority has not provided specifics about these individuals or their alleged roles in Ojwang’s death.

    The ongoing investigation represents a critical test for IPOA’s independence and effectiveness in overseeing police conduct.

    The authority’s ability to conduct thorough, impartial investigations while managing public expectations and legal challenges will likely influence public confidence in the oversight system.

    The National Police Service (NPS) has also dismissed reports about Lagat’s return to his Vigilance House office in Nairobi, suggesting coordination between various law enforcement agencies in managing the situation.

    As the legal and investigative processes continue, the case serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between due process and public accountability in high-profile cases involving law enforcement officers.

    The death of Albert Ojwang has become more than an individual tragedy; it has evolved into a broader conversation about police custody procedures, oversight mechanisms, and the protection of citizens’ rights while in state custody.

  • Court Orders IPOA Official to Explain How OCS Talaam’s Phone Was Used for Extortion While in Custody

    Court Orders IPOA Official to Explain How OCS Talaam’s Phone Was Used for Extortion While in Custody

    Defence lawyers allege fraudulent messages were sent from the detained officer’s device, including demands for KSh 80,000 from prominent lawyer

    A Nairobi magistrate has summoned a senior Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) official to court following explosive allegations that a mobile phone belonging to detained Nairobi Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam has been used to extort money from the public while under official custody.

    Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi on Wednesday ordered Senior Assistant Director of Investigations at IPOA, Abdirahman Jibril, to appear in court on Friday to explain how the device, which was surrendered to investigators on June 16, could have been misused for fraudulent purposes.

    The shocking revelations emerged during court proceedings where Talaam, who is being investigated in connection with the death of Albert Ojwang’, was ordered to remain in custody for 15 days pending investigations.

    Defence lawyer Dunstan Omari told the court that prominent criminal lawyer Cliff Ombeta had received a message from Talaam’s phone number requesting KSh 80,000, purportedly to help “rescue” the detained OCS.

    “Your Honour, we have credible evidence that individuals, including respected lawyer Cliff Ombeta, have received messages from Talaam’s number requesting money. The phone is being used for fundraising with claims that the OCS is in trouble and needs financial help,” Omari argued before the court.

    The defence team revealed that the fraudulent messages appear to be part of a wider scheme, with family members of the OCS also reporting receiving distressing messages from the same number that should have been securely stored by IPOA investigators.

    The allegations have raised serious questions about the security protocols at IPOA, particularly regarding the handling of exhibits in high-profile cases.

    Omari emphasized that both the phone and its password are supposed to be in IPOA’s possession under secure storage conditions.

    “IPOA commissioners are the custodians of that phone and the corresponding passwords. If that phone is being used to swindle Kenyans while under IPOA’s watch, then someone must be held accountable,” the defence lawyer urged.

    The court heard that IPOA had made a “spirited fight” to gain access to the phone, with the defence not objecting to the request in recognition of the authority’s constitutional mandate.

    State Prosecutor Victor Awiti acknowledged the gravity of the accusations, stating that the prosecution could not “outrightly deny these allegations.”

    However, he noted that the investigating officer had confirmed the phone was currently switched off and stored safely.

    Awiti urged the defence to file a formal complaint to enable proper investigation into the matter, while the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions is expected to respond to the allegations through IPOA on Friday.

    Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, lawyer Cliff Ombeta confirmed receiving the fraudulent request, expressing shock at the incident.

    “I was shocked. I know the probe is ongoing on the phones of my client the OCS, but when I received a message asking for Sh80,000 to help ‘rescue’ the OCS, I knew something was very wrong. That number should not be in use, let alone for fraud,” Ombeta stated.

    Magistrate Ekhubi took a stern view of the allegations, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability from oversight bodies.

    “These are grave allegations. The integrity of constitutional offices must not be put into question. Mr Jibril must appear before this court to explain how a phone in IPOA’s custody could be used in such a manner,” the magistrate ruled.

    OCS Talaam is currently under investigation following the death of Albert Ojwang’, with the case having attracted significant public attention.

    The phone in question was surrendered to IPOA as part of the ongoing investigation into the incident.

    The defence has indicated it will press for the appearance of senior IPOA officials in court should the explanation from Jibril prove unsatisfactory when he appears on Friday.

    The matter is expected to be mentioned again on Friday, with Mr. Jibril’s anticipated appearance likely to provide crucial insights into how such a security breach could have occurred under IPOA’s watch.

  • DIG Lagat To Record Statement Over Ojwang’s Death

    DIG Lagat To Record Statement Over Ojwang’s Death

    NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 12 – The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has announced that all individuals linked to the arrest, transfer, and detention of the late Albert Ojwang, including Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat will record statements as investigations into his death in police custody intensify.

    Speaking before the National Assembly’s National Security and Internal Administration committee, IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan disclosed that eventually the Deputy Inspector General will be summoned for a statement once the scope of the investigation widens.

    “Yes, we were going to summon him, but our team, our technical team, the investigators, said that they would have preferred to take all statements from all the policemen involved, before they can now confront him, and him being the final person who made the complaint. And I think it is probably much better that way,”Hassan expressed.

    IPOA has revealed that all 17 police officers involved in the arrest, transportation, and detention of the late Albert Ojwang are now considered murder suspects with active investigations ongoing.

    Also on the trail are two civilians including detainees who were present  during the arrest of Ojwang who have already written statement as part of the supporting evidence on the ongoing investigations.

    The house team was told that the institution is preparing to arrest at least three officers linked to Ojwang’s death and is currently engaging the Inspector General (IG) of Police to facilitate the process.

      “We have taken a statement from all the police officers who had gone to arrest the late Ojuang from Homabay, all of them. We have also taken a statement from the officers who were in the Central Police Station from the OCS. There were 17 in total for the whole day and night shift,”he stated.

    Hassan assured the house team that any non-cooperation by police officers in the ongoing and subsequent investigations will attract ruthless action, including prosecution, for trying to block investigations.

    “And we have taken the decision as a board that going forward, any non-cooperation by the police or command officers, there is an offence under the IPOA Act. We are going to start prosecuting them for non-cooperation, for blocking investigations, or for trying to cover-up anything,”

    Ojwang, a Migori resident , was arrested on June 7, 2025, by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) following a complaint by Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat regarding a social media post.

    The social media influencer and teacher was later transferred to Central Police Station in Nairobi. He was pronounced dead the following day at Mbagathi Hospital, with his body showing signs of extensive trauma.

    Post-mortem results revealed that Ojwang died of blunt force trauma to the head, neck compression, and multiple subcutaneous bruises, discrediting earlier police claims that he died by repeatedly hitting himself against a cell wall.

    Hassan dismissed the suicide claims by the National Police Service (NPS) terming it as a ‘poor attempt at cover-up’ affirming the independent institution commitment to unravel the truth on the murder of Ojwang.

     “On the issue of whether there are disappearance or criminal proceedings against officers involved, we are still conducting investigations. We have not yet completed, but we are very close to,”

    “I want to assure the committee and through the committee to the public that IPOA is not going to be used as a fire extinguisher to extinguish all fires which are generating from police misconduct,”the IPOA Chairperson stated.Investigations have revealed that the CCTV system in the OCS office at Central Police Station had been interfered with on the morning of June 8, just hours before Ojwang’s death was reported. The DVR had been reformatted, and power cables were deliberately disconnected, raising further suspicion of a coordinated cover-up.

    “We are not going to be used as a cover-up. We are going to talk to everyone who was involved with this matter, get all the evidence, and recommend prosecution of anyone who is involved in this death. No matter their station,” the IPOA Chairperson stated.

    The authority has also gathered critical forensic evidence, including blood samples, police occurrence book records (OB), and CCTV footage, and is awaiting the results of toxicology and DNA analysis from government chemists.

     ”I myself also went to the police station, central police station. And I also went and saw the cell where the young man was killed. There was a lot of blood on the floor and blood on the walls. It’s a scene that has stayed in my mind. It’s a very bad scene that I saw,”Hassan told MPs.

    IPOA is calling for urgent reforms in the handling of detainees, including the mandatory installation of CCTV cameras in corridors leading to cells, the use of body cameras by officers, and improved public access to police reporting systems.

    The authority is also pushing for amendments to the police training curriculum to emphasize human rights and accountability in policing.

    “We have to respect the rights of the prisoners, of course, but still, at the corridor of the cells, we need to have CCTV cameras. We also need to have the OB, the occurrence book, available, public access, we are able to follow where there are any injuries which are inputted by those who are mischievous,”Hassan stated.