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The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has confirmed that there have been abductions, and disappearances in the country, during the recent protests against the Finance Bill.
IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori said in a statement on Friday promised to take action.
She said that it was unfortunate that the authority could not reach a majority of complainants, saying that out of 10 complaints that they received, eight of the victims were found alive with allegations of harassment and torture, however, they have been unable to access them.
“We request victims and any other relevant eyewitnesses to come forward and record statements to facilitate speedy investigations of these allegations,” Ms Makori said.
She added that the cases are at different stages of analysis and investigation and has also acted on some of these cases.
In Nairobi, Austin Omondi, Gabriel Oguda, John Frank, Drey Mwangi, Shadrack Kiprono, Osama Otero, Leslie Muturi are among those identified by IPOA to have been abducted and tortured.
She further said that in two other cases in Nairobi, one victim, identified as Joseph Mwangi is still missing, while Denzel Omondi was found dead.
“IPOA has attended post-mortem; has requested for police documents; and it calls upon eyewitness accounts including anyone who can supply verifiable CCTV footage or photographs,” she said.
Joshua Okayo from Kajido has also been reported to have been abducted and tortured.
Apart from Nairobi, Ms Makori said that they were also looking into three other cases in Isiolo County where three persons Mukhtar Tache Ali, Nura Abdi Diba and Issa Osman were allegedly abducted and reaffirmed the authority's commitment to probing these cases.
“IPOA remains steadfast in its commitment to conduct its investigations with the utmost independence, impartiality, fairness and neutrality.”
Several cases of alleged abductions have been reported across the country in the wake of protests against the Finance Bill.
For the second time in as many weeks, IPOA on Thursday appealed to Kenyans who might have witnessed the fatal shooting of protester Rex Kanyeki Masai on June 20, 2024, to come forward with information that will assist it in investigations.
The authority launched its investigations into the matter last month and was given 21 days by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) to investigate the shooting that took place during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protest.
“IPOA is once again calling upon anyone who witnessed the fatal shooting of Mr. Rex Masai on 20th June 2024, to come forth and volunteer information to advance its investigations,” it said in a statement.
“This information will help to not only bring closure to the family and friends but also contribute to police accountability.”
Rex Masai was fatally shot on his way home during protests against the Finance Bill along Moi Avenue in Nairobi.
He was allegedly shot by a plainclothes policeman at around 7pm. Aerial footage captured the incident as protesters, who had been pushed from Kenyatta Avenue and City Hall Way, regrouped outside a club on Moi Avenue.
Speaking to Nation.Africa, Gillian Munyao, Rex’s mother, revealed that reports from both the government and the family’s pathologists indicated that Rex had sustained a fatal wound to his thigh, resulting in significant blood loss.
“One of the police shot him in the left thigh, and his friend tried to take him to the nearest hospital, Bliss, but unfortunately he died before reaching there,” she said.
In a statement on Friday, June 21, 2024, the Authority revealed that it was also investigating several Injuries suffered by other demonstrators including police officers who were quelling the unrest.
“Accordingly, and in accordance with Section 7 of the IPOA Act, the Authority has this morning launched investigations into the fatal shooting and our investigation team has since established contact with the family of Mr Masai, all the serious incidents documented during the demonstrations,” said IPOA chairperson Anne Makori in the statement.
Masai was laid to rest on July 5 in Kamuthanga, Machakos County. He was 29.
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