Police were better organised and prepared in management of election security, a police oversight report says.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has said the police largely carried out their mandate professionally.
It said they utilised specialised officers from Kenya Prisons Service, Kenya Wildlife Service, National Youth Service and the Kenya Forest Service.
“All officers were provided with transport during the election and were trained and briefed by their commanders prior to deployment,” IPOA said in the report.
The report by an ad hoc committee on election preparedness however says all police officers assigned polling station duties worked for more than 48 hours resulting in fatigue and were not provided with hot meals.
It also said some police commanders were non-cooperative and did not share the election related operational orders to foster accountability.
"Also, some police officers in charge of security at the polling stations did not display their names and service numbers as required by law and further refused to provide contacts,” the report says.
IPOA further said they have taken up seven complaints including shooting, attempted rape and assault during the period in question, which they forwarded to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
The cases include the circumstances surrounding the shooting causing grievous harm and unlawful wounding of Mohamed Ahmed Qanyare and Abdikeyr Mohamed Mohamud.
The shooting was allegedly by police officers inside the tallying centre at Eldas constituency, Wajir county on August 11.
In Tiaty, Baringo county, IPOA has also commenced investigations into the alleged assault causing serious injury of a youth who was cerebrating the win of an MCA from Kolowa ward at Chemolingot High School.
The incident happened on August 10 but the complainant however withdrew the case.
In Eldoret town, a probe has been launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting of Amon Kibet allegedly by a police officer.
The incident occurred on August 8 at around 9pm within Eldoret town.
An attempted rape was also reported against a special police officer in Bungoma.
The incident happened on August 9 at Wanyila Primary School polling centre in Webuye East subcounty.
The authority also commenced investigations into a police shooting at Mbalambala Tallying centre during a confrontation between police and members of the public.
"The incident happened after the announcement of the member of National Assembly results for Mbalambala ward on August 11 in Garissa county.
"Preliminary investigations revealed that the police acted within the law and recommended the matter to be closed,” the report reads.
In Kisumu, a shooting was reported in Arina estate.
Reinhard Omondi Otieno was on August 15 shot and seriously injured by police officers after members of the public started protesting immediately the presidential results, were announced.
Chairperson Anne Makori said they had prioritised investigative resources for timely conclusion of the cases and where culpability is found recommendations for criminal or disciplinary responsibility will be made to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Some form of violence has accompanied almost every election in Kenya’s history, a pattern authorities wanted to end.
After the presidential result of the 2007 general election was disputed, violence erupted, leading to the death of more than 1,000 people. Many others were displaced.
An inquiry into the post-election violence pointed to the police as being ill-prepared, partisan and heavy-handed in trying to quell the chaos.
However in this election, areas deemed to be flashpoints for violence were mapped and police were ready to avert a repeat of 2007-08.
They also used various stakeholders to calm the situation.
IPOA deployed 250 monitors across 46 counties. The officers carried out the monitoring exercise between August 7 and 12, with a further exercise planned in case of unforeseen political developments in the country.
The monitors attended the security officers briefing largely carried out on August 8 to ensure full understanding of public order and civilian oversight.
The authority then made a comparative analysis of the conduct of police officers during the 2017 and 2022 election respectively, to understand the dynamics so far.
“The authority was of strong conviction that this comparative analysis would also indicate whether IPOA’s initiatives are contributing to professionalism in the NPS,” it said.
IPOA says the operational planning by the NPS was better conducted and officers adequately trained.
Under the Election Security Arrangement Programme, police officers across ranks were extensively trained on public order management and de-escalation techniques.
This was partly in implementation of IPOA’s recommendations after the 2017 election and 2022 party primaries.
The report further states that the service employed upgraded strategies on intelligence gathering and criminal gangs.
It also developed elaborate hotspot areas, which was seen as a better improvement from the 2017 cycle.
The service strengthened standby detachments, increased the number of police officers manning polling and tallying centres and also improved police officer equipment and tools, as per international standards.
“There was a well-coordinated security officer briefing and debriefing during, before and after the election. This was not as effectively managed in the 2017 election.
“The National Police Service made concerted efforts to improve its relationship with members of the public through social media campaigns and media updates on incidents as they happened,” the report reads.
IPOA recommended that the police be commended for a job well done, that the National Police Service Commission consider better strategies to address police welfare during election.
Also, that police officers be reminded to cooperate with IPOA officers as they discharge their mandate as provided for in law.
(Edited by Bilha Makokha)
“WATCH: The latest videos from the Star”