The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) released an official update on Monday evening regarding the ongoing investigations into police brutality during the anti-finance bill protests that took place in June and July of last year.
In its statement, IPOA said the update was prompted by the recent BBC Africa documentary titled “Blood Parliament”, which brought international attention to the violent crackdown on protesters and highlighted the need for transparency and accountability in policing.
IPOA reaffirmed that investigating the violent confrontations between demonstrators and police officers is part of its official mandate.
The Authority emphasized its commitment to protecting public interest by ensuring that all incidents involving police misconduct are thoroughly investigated.
According to the update, IPOA has so far documented 60 cases involving deaths during the protests.
Out of these, 22 investigations have already been completed, while 36 cases remain under active investigation. Additionally, 2 of the cases are currently in court.
The Authority explained that of the completed investigations, 8 are undergoing final internal review, while 4 others are in the last phase of report preparation and will soon be submitted to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for independent evaluation.
It further disclosed that 2 cases were internally closed by the Authority, while 4 have already been forwarded to the ODPP for further review.
Another 3 cases were closed following specific instructions from the ODPP.
Despite these developments, IPOA expressed concern over the lack of cooperation from certain police officers and some witnesses.
The Authority noted that this unwillingness to cooperate has delayed the progress of several investigations.
However, IPOA assured the public that it is currently engaging in dialogue with police leadership to tackle this issue.
The Authority stated that these efforts aim to improve collaboration and ensure that all victims and their families receive the justice they deserve.
IPOA emphasized that every case will be reviewed individually, and if any officer is found to be responsible for wrongdoing, the Authority will recommend suitable legal or disciplinary actions to the relevant state agencies.
Furthermore, IPOA promised to keep the public informed once the investigations are fully completed.
This latest update comes shortly after the BBC documentary “Blood Parliament” aired on Monday morning.
The investigative film shed light on the deadly force used by Kenyan security forces, including police and Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) personnel, during last year’s youth-led protests.
The documentary, which reviewed over 5,000 pieces of video footage from the demonstrations, revealed the identities of several officers believed to have opened fire on peaceful protesters.
In a detailed 3D digital reconstruction of the area around Kenya’s Parliament, the BBC traced and pinpointed the locations and moments when three protesters were fatally shot.
According to the BBC, despite previous orders from a parliamentary committee instructing IPOA to investigate these killings, there had been no public report detailing the deaths—until now.
The documentary has reignited public demand for justice and official accountability.
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