The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into a violent confrontation between residents of Duka Moja in Narok County and police officers that resulted in the deaths of three people and left one police officer seriously injured.
The clashes erupted on Thursday, January 16, 2025, following a motor vehicle accident that killed several livestock. The incident led to locals barricading the busy Narok-Kisii Road in protest, demanding compensation for their losses. Police intervention to clear the road and restore traffic flow escalated tensions, sparking the deadly violence.
In a statement issued on Saturday, January 18, 2025, IPOA confirmed that its rapid response team had been deployed to investigate the incident, including the use of firearms and teargas by police officers.
“The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) would like to bring to the attention of an incident in which irate members of the public barricaded the Narok Mai Mahiu highway at the Duka Moja Trading Centre within Narok County. The protest followed a motor vehicle accident on the evening of Thursday, January 16, 2025, in which a number of livestock were killed,” the statement read.
IPOA noted that during the protests, efforts by the police to reopen the road escalated into violent clashes with residents, leading to severe injuries among the public and police officers.
IPOA chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan strongly condemned the violence and assured the public that investigations would be thorough. He stated that any police officers found culpable for violating the law would face appropriate action.
“IPOA has since deployed its rapid response team to carry out investigations and will make appropriate recommendations for any police officers who will be found culpable for any violations of the law,” Hassan stated.
He further appealed to the local leadership and other government institutions to address the frequent accidents involving motor vehicles and livestock in the area.
IPOA urged members of the public to remain calm as investigations continue and encouraged those with information about the incident to come forward.
“IPOA condemns in the strongest terms possible the confrontation between the members of the public and police. Further, the authority calls upon the members of the public to remain calm as investigations into the matter are in progress. Any member of the public with information about the incident is encouraged to visit IPOA offices or use its toll-free number 1559,” the chairperson said.
The authority reiterated the importance of peaceful resolutions to disputes and emphasized the need for collaboration between the police, local leaders, and residents to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The deadly clash has drawn attention to the persistent issue of motor vehicle and livestock accidents in the area. IPOA called on relevant stakeholders to develop sustainable solutions to reduce such incidents, which have been a source of tension between residents and motorists.
The investigation by IPOA aims to ensure accountability and provide justice for those affected by the violence.
