NAIROBI, Kenya- The National Assembly has approved the nomination of Dr Duncan Ojwang Oburu as the new Chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), clearing the way for his appointment to head the country’s civilian police oversight body.
Ojwang will succeed Ahmed Issack Hassan, who relinquished the IPOA chairperson position after being appointed a Judge of the Court of Appeal of Kenya.
President William Ruto nominated Ojwang for the position in July, with the nomination subsequently subjected to parliamentary vetting.
The National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security conducted the nominee’s vetting on August 12, 2026, before the House considered the committee’s report.
During his vetting, Ojwang pledged to protect IPOA’s independence and strengthen public confidence in the institution.
He told MPs that IPOA must maintain a clear distinction between civilian oversight and police command while maintaining an appropriate working relationship with the National Police Service.
“We will speak truth to power,” Ojwang told the committee during his approval hearing.
The nominee also acknowledged concerns over the public perception of IPOA, saying he would work to restore confidence in the institution and ensure it effectively holds police officers accountable for misconduct.
Ojwang further pointed to staffing and funding challenges facing IPOA, noting that the authority has an approved establishment of about 1,300 employees but only around 300 staff, according to his vetting remarks.
His approval comes at a time of renewed public scrutiny of police conduct and demands for stronger accountability within Kenya’s security sector.
