The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has exposed instances of police unprofessionalism following the disruption of a thanksgiving event attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in December 2024.
In a report released on Thursday, January 2, IPOA revealed details of its investigations into the teargas incident, citing negligence and misconduct by law enforcement officers.
According to the report, intelligence had been received about a group allegedly planning to disrupt the event. Subsequently, five suspects were arrested on the morning of the event. However, IPOA established that the suspects were neither properly booked nor held, as they were released on the orders of the County Police Commander.
“At least 60 police officers were deployed without an official operation order. The County Police Commander led the operation but failed to log her presence in the station’s Occurrence Book. Five suspects arrested for planning to disrupt the event were later released without full documentation, raising accountability concerns,” the report noted.
Additionally, IPOA disclosed that a man, reportedly a police officer, was apprehended for allegedly throwing a teargas canister. However, proper booking procedures were not followed after his arrest.
“The suspect police officer’s release without formal booking or investigations highlights negligence and possible abuse of authority by the police,” the report stated.
The authority further condemned the actions of the officers involved and recommended accountability measures to address the misconduct.
“On own-motion, IPOA conducted thorough investigations into police inaction, negligence, and misconduct. We recommend that accountability measures be enforced against officers implicated in the inappropriate handling of the incident,” the report concluded.
IPOA’s findings have sparked public calls for greater accountability and professionalism within the police service.
IPOA’s statement came after Gachagua termed the events in Shamata as de-ja-vu given that action was yet to be taken against a criminal gang “very openly supported by the police” who attacked mourners at a Funeral Service he was attending in Limuru, despite the pictures of the attackers being splashed all over.
Gachagua however acknowledged the resilience and courage of everyone who attended the event for ensuring that despite the attack by the police the prayers continued to their focal conclusion.
The former second-in-command accused the NPS of allowing themselves to be used for political gain, given the negativity they have been drawing in recent weeks over illegal abductions and extrajudicial killings.
