- IPOA revealed that 20 people died at the hands of police for four months, which raised serious concerns about human rights and accountability.
- The authority told Parliament that Albert Ojwang, a blogger and teacher, was tortured and attacked at Central Police Station, Nairobi last weekend
- IPOA has interviewed 17 officers and six witnesses, and is interviewing senior police officers, including Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, about the arrest and death of Ojwang
Albert Ojwang died at the hands of the police, but now it is clear that he is not the only one who lost his life that way in recent months.
Source: UGC
The Independent Authority to investigate the police operation (IPOA) raised concerns over the increase in the number of deaths in police hands, revealing that 20 people have died in detention over the last four months.
IPOA chairman Issack Hassan revealed the remarks on Thursday, June 12, when he came before the National Assembly Committee on Security.
He was referring to the complex story of Ojwang, a teacher and blogger whose death last week in detention sparked a lot of anger.
IPOA chairman Issack Hassan revealed the remarks on Thursday, June 12, when he came before the National Assembly Committee on Security.
He was referring to the complex story of Ojwang, a teacher and blogger whose death last week in detention sparked a lot of anger.
“We have had 20 deaths under police protection over the last four months,” Hassan told parliamentarians.
He called the situation a crisis of accountability within the police service.
Ojwang ‘was arrested last Saturday in Homa Bay County, with officials from the Criminal Investigation Department (DCI).
It is alleged that the arrest was fueled by Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat about a post released by Ojwang on the X social network (formerly Twitter).
The officers transported Ojwang to Nairobi and was detained at the Police Station. But by Sunday, when his family came to look at him, they were told he had died and his body had already been taken to the City’s mortuary.
Preliminary IPOA investigations are now in conflict with police claims. Police said earlier Ojwang died after he hit his head on the wall in his cell.
But according to Hassan, evidence shows he was tortured and badly attacked.
“The sign of the Inspector-the police joint was surprising; it was a very bad attempt to hide,” said Hassan. “CCTV was interrupted. The man was tortured and killed.”
Although IPOA has no authority to prosecute, Hassan confirmed that all officers involved in Ojwang’s arrest, detained, and handling his body are considered suspects. So far, 17 officers and six Witnesses have been interviewed.
Source: UGC
IPOA has also called Lagat to record information. “We expect some kind of blue rules where the officers will choose to keep quiet,” Hassan said. “
But we have another way. We will not serve as fireworks to the police or facilitate this hide. “
A pregnant woman loses a baby in a police cell
In a related incident, a pregnant mother held at Rwanyambo police station, Nyandarua, gave birth to a police room and lost her baby due to lack of medical care.
The woman, believed to be six to seven months pregnant, allegedly cried for help when she was in pain, but the officials failed to respond.
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