IPOA Chairman Macharia Njeru. Photo/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 7 – The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has castigated residents who attacked police officers and torched the Burinda Administration Police camp in Busia County.
The incident, which has attracted a warning from the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, happened after a boda boda rider was shot by a police offer reportedly while resisting arrest.
Residents thereafter attacked and set the AP camp on fire to protest the killing of the man.
“With a serving Police Service and a robust Judiciary in place, it is unacceptable for anyone to take the law into their own hands. This is likely to foster anarchy and break established order in society,” said the Authority in a statement.
IPOA further adds it has been active in holding police officers to account for unprofessional conduct with several successful prosecutions.
“It defeats the purpose of police reforms when the public turn and commit the same offences they complain about when the police commit them.”
A probe by the National Police Service has been launched to establish the arsonists, with a motive to arrest and prosecute them.
Boinnet warned that unruly behavior by some boda boda riders who have formed gangs to harass members of the public will not be tolerated.
IPOA has urged aggrieved civilians to use the legal, laid out mechanisms for lodging police complaints.
About The Author
