By The Weekly Vision Team
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has raised concerns about the lack of cooperation from the National Police Service (NPS), which is reportedly obstructing its ability to fulfil its mandate. IPOA CEO Elma Halake, speaking at a Police Accountability, Safety, and Security for Journalists forum in Nanyuki, highlighted that the NPS frequently fails to provide necessary information for investigating cases of police misconduct.
This lack of cooperation delays investigations and prolongs the prosecution of officers accused of wrongdoing. Halake noted that investigating public order management cases is particularly challenging due to their broad scope and criminal nature. Despite these challenges, IPOA has successfully prosecuted several cases, with 35 officers convicted so far. Halake mentioned that over 300 cases involving police officers are currently active or pending, and due to the complexity of these cases, they may take longer to resolve.
Halake also indicated that IPOA is investigating recent claims of police brutality during protests, which will serve as a significant test for the authority. He reaffirmed IPOA’s commitment to holding police officers accountable, especially in cases of rights violations. However, he acknowledged that the absence of witnesses complicates building strong cases against accused officers and appealed to the public for support by providing information to aid in investigations.
In response, National Police Service Commission (NPSC) Chairman Peter Lelei emphasized that the success of the criminal justice system depends on multiple stakeholders, not just the police service. He criticized the tendency to place blame solely on the NPS and urged the IPOA to focus on thorough investigations rather than using the NPS as a scapegoat for its performance issues. Lelei assured that the commission has its internal mechanisms for disciplining rogue officers and emphasized individual accountability. Additionally, he highlighted the NPSC’s commitment to implementing reforms recommended by the Maraga-led commission to enhance police service delivery. The NPSC is also working to update police training curricula to incorporate new techniques and address potential abuses.
