The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has summoned over 50 police officers to address allegations of deaths, serious injuries, and other unlawful acts committed during the Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations by Gen-Zs and the Azimio protests of 2023.
More than 15 senior police commanders, including Bungoma County Police Commander Francis Kooli, have been directed to appear before IPOA detectives between September 17 and September 19 for questioning and statement recording.
Following the summons, the Kenya Police Service headquarters instructed the officers to meet with their respective legal officers today for briefing. “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,” stated a letter signed by Elizabeth Marube on behalf of the Deputy Inspector General.
In the Western region, the list of officers under investigation includes Commander Kooli, Kakamega County Commander Lucy Kananu, Bungoma South Police Commander Wilson Muraya, Kakamega Central Commander, the General Service Unit (GSU) officer in charge of Kakamega State Lodge, and the officer in charge of the Akichelesit Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU).
IPOA has been investigating incidents from August 30, focusing on police operations during the Gen-Z and Azimio demonstrations. The Authority has reported that several officers were involved in actions resulting in deaths and serious injuries.
According to Section 7(1) of the IPOA Act, the Authority has the power to requisition documents and summon any serving or retired police officer. The Authority has requested the police boss to summon 21 officers for interviews and statement recording.
Senior officers from Nakuru have already been interrogated regarding the shooting of K24 TV journalist Catherine Wanjeri and other incidents. Kananu, in particular, is expected to provide certified copies of police operation orders for June 25, July 2, and July 23, along with all OB entries, police signals, Arms Movement Registers, and details on ammunition allocation.
The investigations follow several reports of fatal shootings and injuries linked to police actions during the protests.
Fatal Shootings During Protests
On June 25, Reagan Ouko and Caroline Shiramba were fatally shot, and Daniel Chimoita, Loise Mulefu, and Joseph Mwanza sustained serious injuries in Kakamega County. On July 23, Daniel Wanje and December Shivachi were also killed, and seven others were severely injured in a separate incident.
IPOA has requested that the involved officers provide a comprehensive list of all vehicles and motorcycles used, including their registration numbers and identifications, along with Work tickets.
The Authority has warned that senior police commanders could face criminal charges if the ongoing investigations fail to identify the individual officers responsible for the shootings.
IPOA has faced challenges including non-cooperation from police commanders, witness interference and threats, and a general lack of credible witnesses.
In October 2022, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) set a precedent by directing charges against 12 police commanders who served in Kisumu in 2017, for their involvement in the death of Baby Pendo. This marked the first time command responsibility was explored in Kenya’s history.
