The government is facing increasing scrutiny over its response to escalating incidents of police violence and extra-judicial killings. This concern heightened following the shooting of Boniface Kariuki, an unarmed street vendor, during protests in Nairobi on Tuesday. The demonstrations were sparked by the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody on June 8.
In a recent interview with NTV, Irũngũ Houghton, executive director of Amnesty International Kenya, urged that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) be granted the authority to arrest officers accused of misconduct.
“We want to see IPOA have the capacity to arrest officers. Up to now, they still cannot do that and it is why in Ojwang’s case, they had to go with the Internal Affairs Unit officers to effect the arrest,” Houghton stated.
He further called for an expansion of IPOA’s mandate to include oversight of other security agencies, such as the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), which has faced criticism for its involvement in civilian deaths.
“They also need to expand their jurisdiction so that their mandate covers Kenya Wildlife Service officers, KFS and the Kenya Defence Forces because they are still doing policing duties. Who is oversighting them in this role they were given last year?” Houghton questioned, referencing the deployment of military personnel to manage protests during anti-government demonstrations last year.
Kariuki, 22, was critically injured after being shot in the head by a police officer wearing a balaclava. His father, John Kariuki, reported that his son underwent surgery and remains in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Authorities confirmed that an officer has been arrested in connection with the shooting.
On the same day, protesters demanded the resignation and prosecution of Deputy Inspector-General of Police Eliud Lagat, following his decision to “step aside” to allow investigations into Ojwang’s death.
Ojwang died at Nairobi’s Central Police Station after being arrested in Homa Bay for allegedly posting derogatory comments about Lagat on social media. While police initially claimed he died from self-inflicted injuries, an autopsy indicated he likely succumbed to injuries from an assault. Two police officers have since been arrested in relation to his death.
Houghton emphasized the need for systemic change, stating, “It is beyond changing the individuals in these positions… the behaviour of police must change to reverse the culture of enforced disappearances and killings.” He condemned the ongoing criminalization of the right to protest and freedom of expression.
