By IPOA Media Team,
NAIROBI, Kenya- Police officers deployed to quell the recent Gen–Z protests were ill-equipped and unprepared, a monitoring report by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has revealed.
This contributed to the high number of deaths and injuries to protesters and police officers documented by IPOA.
Investigations into some of the cases have been concluded and files forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions while others are at different stages of investigation.
Sections 6 (c) and (k) of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act, mandates the Authority to monitor and investigate policing operations affecting members of the public; and then make recommendations to the National Police Service (NPS) or any other relevant State organ so as to enhance professionalism and accountability among the police.
“IPOA strives to give effect to the provision of Article 244 of the Constitution, that the Police shall strive for professionalism and discipline and shall promote and practice transparency and accountability,” IPOA officials said.
During the protests, IPOA focused on level of preparedness by the NPS – deployment, equipping and tooling of the officers – and observed that the protests would begin peacefully but end in chaos, with instances of police being overpowered.
“In majority of the instances, police conduct was restrained while in others, use of force led to injuries and fatalities…the Police used unmarked vehicles, deployed hooded and masked Officers who were in civilian clothes, carried and deployed riot equipment and also conducted arrests. Some commanders had concealed badges of ranks and name tags,” the report states in part.
The report also stated that the Police had a negative attitude towards the protesters and the right to protest, thus leading to distrust between the Police and the demonstrators.
“In several locations such as Karatina Town, Nairobi CBD and Kitengela Town there was shortage of essential equipment, insufficient riot gear and teargas leading to injuries among police officers. In Kitengela Town in particular the police were overwhelmed by increasingly large crowds resulting to difficulties in managing the protesters,” the report observed.
The Authority observed that after the protests escalated into violence, there was destruction of property and looting.
IPOA recommended that in the future, and in compliance with Article 37 of the Constitution and other laws, the IGP is advised to facilitate lawful protesters to enjoy their constitutional rights without interference.
“Failure to facilitate implementation of the rights under Article 37 is the leading cause of violence, deaths, injuries, destruction of property and significant resource drain in the NPS during peaceful protests,” IPOA states.
The Authority also recommended that the Inspector General of Police should ensure that all deaths and serious injuries are reported to IPOA for independent investigations.
“In line with the law, the IGP should ensure that all police officers assigned to police demonstrations are clearly identifiable including through affixing name tags for public and police safety. In protest situation, the uniform identifies police officers and validates their verbal proclamations and actions” IPOA reiterated.
IPOA also recommended that the IGP to establish adequate mechanisms of proactive engagement with protest organizers to reduce the tensions that are often witnessed during protests.
It also recommended embracing the use of videography and body-worn cameras during protests to enhance evidence gathering to inform prosecution of persons arrested during protests, as this will also contribute to independent police accountability.
IPOA also strongly recommended that the NPS to put in place the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for handling demonstrations.
