MOMBASA, Kenya — Human rights organisations have issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to publicly account for progress in investigations into the fatal shooting of 14-year-old Dennis Ringa in Mombasa, warning of protests if no arrests are made.
The rights groups said they will stage a sit-in outside IPOA offices if the watchdog fails to take visible action within a week, insisting that officers responsible for the killing must be identified and held accountable.
Ringa, a Grade Six pupil, was shot dead on the night of December 31 in Utange, a densely populated residential area on the outskirts of Mombasa, as residents ushered in the New Year.
According to family members and eyewitnesses, the teenager had been outside with other children lighting fireworks when police officers arrived in the area.
A post-mortem examination later revealed that Dennis was shot from behind, with the bullet entering through his back and exiting through his chest, findings that rights groups say raise serious questions about the use of lethal force against a child.
“They have the post-mortem report and witness statements. What we are seeing instead is silence,” said Francis Auma, Rapid Response Officer at Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI).
Activists said the absence of arrests or public updates weeks after the shooting has compounded the family’s grief and eroded public confidence in institutions mandated to investigate police misconduct.
Dennis was later buried in Tezo, Ngerenya, Kilifi County, where mourners described him as a quiet child who enjoyed school and playing with friends. His family has since demanded justice, saying no explanation has been offered for why a minor was shot during what they described as a peaceful celebration.
IPOA, which is constitutionally mandated under Article 244 and the IPOA Act to investigate deaths and serious injuries resulting from police action, has previously confirmed that investigations were ongoing. However, it has not issued a detailed public update or indicated whether any officers have been questioned, interdicted, or suspended.
Rights organisations argue that delays in such cases weaken accountability mechanisms and entrench a culture of impunity within the security sector.
“The longer these cases drag on without arrests or clear communication, the more they signal that police officers can kill with little consequence,” one activist said.
The killing of Dennis Ringa comes amid renewed scrutiny of police conduct, particularly in low-income urban settlements, where watchdogs say excessive force and delayed investigations remain persistent problems.
IPOA has faced growing pressure from civil society to demonstrate independence and decisiveness, especially in cases involving children and unarmed civilians.
If no action is taken within the stipulated seven days, the rights groups said they will escalate their protest, insisting that justice for Dennis Ringa is a test of Kenya’s commitment to the rule of law and protection of children’s rights under the Constitution.
