Extensive IPOA Report On The Ongoing Investigations Into 39 Deaths During Demonstrations
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has provided an update on its investigation into deaths following recent protests across the country.
The IPOA revealed that they have monitored police conduct during public order management exercises in the protests and are currently investigating 39 deaths, 150 serious injuries, and 7 abductions across the country.
IPOA On Rex Masai
Following the death of Rex Kanyike Masai, the authorities announced that they have conducted investigations and are awaiting expert reports on his case.
“IPOA has made significant investigative progress as follows: attended the post-mortem and obtained the report on the cause of death on 21 June 2024, recorded witness statements, visited and documented the crime scene including a collection of evidence, concluded the analysis of CCTV and other video footage of the incident, obtained necessary police documents, obtained necessary medical documents, requested the deployment plans from the Nairobi Police Commander, summoned various police officers to record statements, submitted various samples for forensic and ballistics analysis, and we are awaiting expert reports and recording more witness accounts,” IPOA said.
Evans Kiratu
Preliminary Findings Into the Conduct of Police Officers During the Anti-Finance Bill Mass Demonstrations. #GuardingPublicInterestInPolicing ^EM pic.twitter.com/L8kwGJmhzG
— IPOA (@IPOA_KE) July 2, 2024
Regarding Evans Kiratu’s death, the authority stated that it launched an investigation because he was among the youth demonstrating in the Nairobi CBD on June 20, 2024.
The IPOA stated that they are currently obtaining expert reports on his death as well as additional witness accounts.
“IPOA has made the following steps: attended the post-mortem and obtained the report on the cause of death on 25 June 2024, visited and documented the crime scene including collection of necessary forensic evidence, recorded witness statements, contacted the police for necessary documentation, and issued police summons for statement recording. Pending tasks include obtaining expert reports and recording more witness accounts,” the statement added.
The authority has also stated that it is investigating the fatal shootings at the parliament and has attended post-mortem examinations for six protestors, confirming that 11 people died as a result of the shooting.
“IPOA launched investigations into the fatal shooting and serious injury of protestors following demonstrations in the Nairobi CBD, including the National Assembly on 25 June 2024. Arising from this, a total of 11 deaths have been confirmed.
“The authority has made the following progress: requests made for relevant police documentation, critical witness accounts recorded, issued summons for police officers, attended post-mortems and obtained post-mortem reports for Ibrahim Kamau Wanjiku on 27 June 2024, Erickson Kyalo on 28 June 2024, David Chege on 28 June 2024, Wilson Sitati on 1 July 2024, Kelvin Odhiambo Maina on 15 July 2024, and Kenneth Njeru Mwangi on 1 July 2024. Pending tasks include post-mortems for the remaining victims, expert reports, and recording more witness accounts,” the authority stated.
IPOA On Githurai Massacre
Concerning the Githurai shooting, the IPOA confirmed that it had launched an investigation into the deaths of Andrew Mwawasi and 5-year-old Gianna Merkel Obonyo.
Gianna was discovered with a bullet in his chest and taken to KNH hospital, where he was treated and discharged.
“IPOA has made the following steps: attended the post-mortem for Andrew Mwawasi and obtained the post-mortem report, recorded some witness statements, visited and documented the crime scene, and requisitioned police documentation. Medical documents for Gianna Merkel Obonyo have also been requested,” the authority revealed.
The authority is also looking into the death of 12-year-old Master Kennedy Onyango on June 27, 2024, at Ongata Rongai in Kajiado County.
IPOA confirmed that they had documented the destruction of both private and public property during the protests to assess police policing standards.
This included the National Assembly, the Supreme Court building, City Hall, Uganda House, the Safaricom shop on Kenyatta Avenue, police stations and vehicles, the Embu and Machakos county assemblies, private businesses, and property.
They conclude by revealing that the decision to charge rests with the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Extensive IPOA Report On The Ongoing Investigations Into 39 Deaths During Demonstrations
