IPOA pledges justice for families affected by police killings, enforced disappearances

 

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) had pledged to deliver justice for all families affected by extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

“No suspected police-committed death will go without investigation,” said Ann Makori, IPOA Chairperson.

Makori made the remarks at a press briefing on Monday as part of her statement on recent developments surrounding alleged police killings and enforced disappearances in Kenya.

She acknowledged President William Ruto’s commitment to probe and prosecute all cases of police killings and enforced disappearances.

“IPOA has noted the strong stand by President William Ruto and his administration against extra judicial activities by members of the National Police Service. We assure Kenyans that the Board is in full alignment with his Excellency’s position and directives on the matter,” the Chairperson spelled out.

“As provided by the constitutive act, IPOA has taken up investigations of cases of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial deaths to ensure affected families find relief and closure if the investigations find police culpable of committing them,” she added.

IPOA’s pledge comes as Kenyans, most in shock, are still getting to know the true extend of police killings and enforced disappearances in the country’s recent past.

Last week, investigators launched a probe into allegations leveled against the now disbanded Special Services Unit (SSU) of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), that it was a killer sect within the National Police Service.

21 police officers previously attached to the SSU were questioned on Friday in connection with the allegations. Four were later arrested on Saturday and are expected to be arraigned in court.