NAIROBI, Kenya – Police officers deployed to manage the June 25 and July 7 protests across Kenya were left without food, water, or essential allowances, a new report by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has revealed.
The watchdog says it observed serious lapses in how officers were treated during the two demonstrations, which were held in remembrance of last year’s tax protests and the historic ‘Saba Saba’ pro-democracy march of 1990.
In its findings released Thursday, IPOA said that deployed officers endured difficult conditions while working long shifts to secure public infrastructure and maintain order.
“IPOA monitors observed that police officers deployed were not provided with meals during the demonstrations,” reads the report.
The oversight authority has urged Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to prioritize the welfare of frontline officers, recommending that sufficient funds be allocated for food, drinking water, and daily allowances during future deployments.
Call for Reforms in Police Deployment and Accountability
The report also flagged irregularities in how police commanders handled notifications of planned demonstrations.
According to IPOA, some commanding officers declined to receive or acknowledge protest notices, in violation of the Public Order Act.
To improve transparency and accountability during public protests, IPOA wants all police vehicles and assets clearly marked and calls for the mandatory use of body-worn cameras and videography.
“The IGP should adopt the use of body-worn cameras and videography during protests to strengthen accountability and support evidence-based prosecution of offenders,” the authority recommended.
Medical Access and Protester Rights
In addition to police welfare, IPOA raised concerns about the safety of protesters and access to emergency care.
It called on the IG to ensure injured protesters receive timely medical attention and for healthcare workers and facilities to be protected, particularly in high-risk protest zones.
It is also proposing the establishment of a dedicated Public Hospital Security Unit to safeguard emergency services during such events.
Civic Engagement and Staffing Push
IPOA believes that fostering peaceful demonstrations requires proactive cooperation between police and protest organisers.
It has proposed a national civic education program to be led by civil society organizations focused on police reforms and human rights.
The authority also highlighted Kenya’s low officer-to-citizen ratio—currently at 1:600—and called on the National Police Service Commission to launch a recruitment drive to meet the UN-recommended ratio of 1:450.
To strengthen its own oversight capacity, IPOA has appealed to the National Treasury and Parliament for a bigger budget to expand operations at the county level and enhance compliance with constitutional mandates.
“We must not only hold police accountable but also ensure their basic needs are met. Their welfare directly affects how they serve the public,” IPOA said in a closing statement.
