IPOA summons 50 police officers over deaths during Gen Z protests

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has summoned over 50 police officers over deaths, injuries and use of excess force during the recent Gen Z protests in Kenya.

This was after the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and the civil society raised concerns over police involvement in the deaths and abductions of citizens during the anti-government protests in different parts of the country.

Documents from IPOA show more than 15 senior police among those directed to appear before the IPOA detectives from September 16 to September 19, 2024 for grilling and statement recording.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Police Service headquarters directed the affected officers to meet their lawyers on Monday before appearing for grilling.

“Legal officers from this headquarters will meet with concerned officers at the Regional headquarters on September 16 for briefing prior to appearing at the Authority offices on the respective dates,” read part of a letter signed by Elizabeth Marube on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General.

IPOA on August 30 wrote to the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Kenya Police Service stating that they are finalizing independent investigations into the killings and injuries which occurred on diverse dates during the recent Gen-Z protests and Azimio demonstrations in 2023.

“In the course of its investigations, the Authority has established that several police officers were involved during the said police operations that resulted in deaths and serious injuries among other crimes,” IPOA stated.

Section 7(1) of the IPOA Act empowers the Authority to obtain documents and summon any serving or retired police officer to appear before it for grilling.

For instance, IPOA has grilled senior officers from Nakuru and their juniors following the shooting and injuring of K24 TV journalist Catherine Wanjeri among other attacks.

In addition, IPOA is seeking certified copies of police operation orders for June 25, July 2, and July 23 plus all OB entries, Arms Movement Registers, and the number of ammunition allocated to each officer.