IPOA’s Efforts Halted as Police Deny Abductions Involvement

Nairobi, Kenya, Jan 30 – The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has announced that it cannot probe the alleged abductions attributed to police officers, following the National Police Service’s (NPS) denial of involvement.

IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan addressed the issue on Wednesday during a meeting in Meru, explaining that while the public claims police units are behind the abductions, the NPS’s consistent denial prevents the authority from initiating an investigation. Hassan emphasized that investigations into such matters can only proceed if the police acknowledge their involvement.

“The Inspector General (IG) has publicly stated that these are not our officers,” Hassan said. “When individuals in hoods abduct people and take them to unknown locations, the police should investigate themselves.”

IPOA has made attempts to connect the police with the abductions since they began. However, its findings, which have been submitted to the courts, are still being reviewed as several cases remain unresolved.

Despite this, IPOA’s efforts to act on these cases are hampered by the NPS’s refusal to acknowledge any role in the abductions. Hassan pointed out that, without the police’s cooperation, IPOA is unable to proceed with formal investigations.

Additionally, Hassan noted that IPOA is grappling with staffing and funding limitations, which are affecting its ability to carry out comprehensive investigations. As a result, IPOA plans to seek additional funding from Parliament, specifically from the Committee on Administration of Justice and National Security.

The issue has sparked public outrage, with growing calls for accountability, particularly regarding the alleged targeting of youth by those behind the abductions.