NAIROBI, Kenya – The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has initiated the process of submitting investigation files to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) regarding police conduct during the nationwide “Gen Z” demonstrations.
IPOA CEO Elema Halake revealed that the authority is probing at least 56 deaths that occurred over the three-month period of protests.
“We are committed to expediting these cases. The public expects answers, and rightly so,” Halake stated during a media briefing in Nanyuki, Laikipia County.
Despite IPOA’s determination, Halake acknowledged the challenges of conducting a nationwide investigation.
“The incidents occurred across the entire country, and our resources are stretched thin. This makes the scope of the investigations particularly challenging,” he explained.
Additionally, Halake expressed frustration over the lack of witness cooperation, which has hampered the pace of the investigations.
“We are not getting the full cooperation we need. Many witnesses have not come forward, and criminal investigations require a high evidential threshold, including forensic support,” he said.
The Gen Z protests, primarily led by younger citizens, were marked by significant clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.
According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, the protests resulted in extensive property damage, including the destruction of 164 vehicles, 54 of which were police cars, while 110 belonged to civilians.
Kindiki also disclosed that official figures put civilian deaths at 42, with 486 civilians and 385 police officers injured during the demonstrations. In addition, police made over 1,387 arrests during the protests.
“We witnessed the death of 42 Kenyans, with hundreds more injured. The scale of the damage to property and the number of arrests underscore the intensity of these demonstrations,” Kindiki said while addressing the National Assembly Committee on Appointments.
IPOA CEO Elema Halake revealed that the authority is probing at least 56 deaths that occurred over the three-month period of protests.
“We are committed to expediting these cases. The public expects answers, and rightly so,” Halake stated during a media briefing in Nanyuki, Laikipia County.
Despite IPOA’s determination, Halake acknowledged the challenges of conducting a nationwide investigation.
“The incidents occurred across the entire country, and our resources are stretched thin. This makes the scope of the investigations particularly challenging,” he explained.
Additionally, Halake expressed frustration over the lack of witness cooperation, which has hampered the pace of the investigations.
“We are not getting the full cooperation we need. Many witnesses have not come forward, and criminal investigations require a high evidential threshold, including forensic support,” he said.
The Gen Z protests, primarily led by younger citizens, were marked by significant clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement.
According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, the protests resulted in extensive property damage, including the destruction of 164 vehicles, 54 of which were police cars, while 110 belonged to civilians.
Kindiki also disclosed that official figures put civilian deaths at 42, with 486 civilians and 385 police officers injured during the demonstrations. In addition, police made over 1,387 arrests during the protests.
“We witnessed the death of 42 Kenyans, with hundreds more injured. The scale of the damage to property and the number of arrests underscore the intensity of these demonstrations,” Kindiki said while addressing the National Assembly Committee on Appointments.
