- Ipoa CEO Elema Halake has said the inadequate cooperation by the police has made it difficult to conclude investigations.
- However, National Police Service Commission (NPSC) CEO Peter Leley told Ipoa to stop the blame game and focus on its work.
Image: Alice Waithera
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) has accused the National Police Service of failing to fully cooperate in investigations into rogue police offers.
Ipoa CEO Elema Halake has said the inadequate cooperation by the police has made it difficult to conclude investigations.
However, National Police Service Commission (NPSC) CEO Peter Leley told Ipoa to stop the blame game and focus on its work.
Leley said NPSC and Ipoa are sister commissions that provide support to each other from time to time, especially in the sharing of data and information.
“Sometimes Ipoa wants my commission as the employer of the National Police Service to expedite certain activities, and we do it. We have a cordial relationship,” he said.
Halake said so far, the authority has forwarded to the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) four files on the deaths that were recorded during the countrywide protests that occurred between June and August.
Out of the four, the ODPP approved one file and returned three to Ipoa for cover points that have since been concluded.
“We are in the process of submitting seven files to the ODPP, including the three that had been reverted to us while several others are undergoing review,” he said, adding that 56 deaths were recorded during the protests.
However, the CEO noted that investigating cases arising from police misconduct has proven challenging owing to the wide scope of the protests against limited resources.
Leley said Ipoa should stop depending on NPSC only for its investigations and blaming it when it hits a dead end.
“When there are challenges, let’s call for help from everybody, but this idea of shifting blame does not help anybody.”
“This is why we are here today to talk to one another and create a synergy to help us move forward,” he said.
While addressing journalists during a training forum in Nanyuki, Laikipia county, Halake, however, reiterated the authority’s commitment to ensure it lives up to the expectations of Kenyans despite the challenges.
He said investigations into the shooting of a Nakuru-based journalist during the Finance Bill protests are at an advanced stage.
MediaMax reporter Catherine Wanjeri was shot three times in her thigh while covering anti-government protests and had to undergo surgery to have the rubber bullets removed.
Wanjeri had early this month complained of receiving threats from some quarters saying her life was in danger.
But Halake pointed out that Ipoa had taken note of the issue and urged her to report her security concerns so that appropriate action could be taken.
“Our regional office in Nakuru is closely following up on the case and once we’re able to do risk analysis, we will be able to make the appropriate recommendations.”
He said the authority can recommend protection through the Witness Protection Authority (WPA) or impress upon the police to provide her with safety.
“My appeal is to members of the public to continue giving Ipoa all the necessary support, especially in availing witnesses or any evidence to help us live up to our mandate,” he added.