The Ministry of Interior has come to the defense of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) following intense public criticism over its response to BBC’s Blood Parliament documentary.
In a statement, the Ministry assured the public that IPOA is investigating cases of police brutality, despite growing perceptions that the authority has failed in its mandate to hold officers accountable.
“While the public’s concern for justice is valid, Kenya is guided by due process and established criminal procedure,” the Ministry said, adding, “The court of public opinion or media bias is no substitute for the legal process.”
Kenyans have slammed IPOA for what they see as inaction and sluggishness in probing the violent crackdown during the June 25, 2024 protests, when demonstrators stormed Parliament in opposition to the 2024 Finance Bill.
IPOA on Monday revealed it received 60 reports of deaths linked to the protests, with twenty-two (22) cases concluded, 36 under active investigation, and two currently in court.
The authority noted that most of the fatalities were caused by gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma, while others resulted from mob injustice, tear gas poisoning, hanging, and drowning. In at least two cases, no postmortem was conducted.
The bulk of cases, 29, were reported in Nairobi. Nyeri registered 8 cases; Kisumu and Kakamega had 6 each, while Mombasa, Meru, Nakuru, and Eldoret recorded fewer than five.
Still, critics have questioned how BBC managed to unmask alleged Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officers using open-source intelligence and forensic analysis, while IPOA’s investigations remain incomplete nearly a year later.
“Disband IPOA, it is useless,” wrote X user Josh Sholah.
“IPOA is a bad joke. You’re not defenders of justice. You’re the system’s janitors, cleaning up blood with paperwork,” added James Mwai.
Social media influencer Kibet Bull, who claims to have been abducted during last year’s protests, accused IPOA of surrendering its mandate to journalists and activists.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga also weighed in, calling the deployment of KDF in civilian matters unlawful and urging IPOA to investigate all violations. “The disproportionate use of force against the youth last June is yet another reminder of the urgent need for IPOA and other investigative agencies such as the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) to carry their mandates expeditiously,” said Maraga.
According to the BBC, the National Police Service said it would not investigate itself, deferring instead to IPOA. The KDF denied receiving any formal request from IPOA to investigate its officers.
