NAIROBI, Kenya – The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has said investigations into the fatal shooting of a 14-year-old Grade Six pupil in Mombasa are at an advanced stage, as pressure mounts for accountability in the New Year’s Eve killing.
In a statement issued on Monday, IPOA said it has already interviewed key witnesses — including police officers and members of the public — following the death of Dennis Ringa Swaleh, who was shot on December 31, 2025, at the Utange–Swale Nguru shopping centre in Kisauni Sub-county.
The watchdog said statements have been recorded, while crucial evidence from the scene and relevant police documents have been secured and preserved to support the ongoing probe.
IPOA investigators also attended the postmortem examination conducted on January 5, 2026, marking another key step in the inquiry.
The authority said additional witnesses are expected to be questioned, with some of the evidence set to undergo ballistic analysis.
“The investigation launched on January 2, 2026, is at an advanced stage,” IPOA said, noting that the findings will determine whether any officers involved will face prosecution.
Once investigations are concluded, the authority said it will forward its findings and recommendations to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for a decision on possible criminal charges against the officers concerned.
IPOA chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan said the authority remains committed to conducting fair, impartial and independent investigations, while extending condolences to the family and friends of the deceased.
The killing of the schoolboy sparked outrage among residents and renewed calls for police accountability, especially in cases involving minors.
