Remain professional at work and respect the law during elections,IPOA to police.

By Missing Voices Reporter

 

Police officers will carry their own cross should they fail to uphold professionalism and respect for human rights during this year’s general election, the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) has warned.

 

The election is slated for Tuesday, August 9,2022.

In a statement Saturday August 6,2022,the IPOA chair person Anne Makori said the agency will watch out on how the police will manage crowds, maintain security and order during the polling period. 

 

She said, “Officers found to have conducted themselves in
unprofessional manner will be held to account for their actions.”

IPOA has dispatched 250 officers to monitor the elections countrywide. This is an increase by more than 100 percent of the number of officers it dispatched in 2017 where only 105 officers were dispatched.

 

Makori said IPOA is committed to being independent, impartial and fair in the course of exercising it’s mandate.

 

She said as an Authority they will be keen on how police will be complying with Article 244 of the Constitution.

 

The article calls for professionalism, compliance with human rights, fundamental freedoms and fostering of relations with the broader society.

 

Makori said to expand grassroots monitoring coverage,IPOA will partner with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights(KNCHR), the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA Kenya) amóng other partners.

 

All IPOA monitors will have staff branded attire,staff badges as well as IEBC observer badges for easy identification.

 

Further the Authority has released a Toll Free number 1559 where members of the public have been urged to report cases of misconduct or commendation of the police. Other emergency phone numbers have been released based on regions nationally.