29 police officers probed for abuses

Police are being investigated for harassment, extortion and assault during the recent security operation in Eastleigh, Nairobi, that was meant to flush out illegal immigrants.

Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) Chairman Macharia Njeru on Monday said the watchdog had identified 29 officers whom it would recommend for prosecution once allegations against them are substantiated.

Mr Njeru said the authority had established that officers in the operation dubbed Usalama Watch demanded bribes of between Sh1,000 and Sh20,000.

The authority, which investigated the abuse claims, also received complaints that detainees were beaten during arrest and in police stations.

“Police officers should, at all times, strive to accord detained persons their right as stipulated in the Constitution,” says an IPOA report released in Nairobi on Monday.

Speaking while releasing the report, Mr Njeru said the authority had directed the National Police Service to immediately institute investigation into allegations of corruption levelled against officers in the operation.

“The police should carry out a post-mortem of this operation with a component of the public element and report its finding to IPOA within 90 days,” says the report.

“It is IPOA’s position that while this operation was intended for a good cause, its implementation was problematic and wrought with many challenges.”

The crackdown was not conducted with compliance with the law or respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms envisaged in the Constitution, according to the watchdog.

LESSONS LEARNT

It advised the police service to put in place measures to capture lessons learnt in such operations.

The authority further directed Inspector-General of Police David Kimaiyo to establish a command structure for the service for efficient administration, arguing that the operation lacked a command structure.

Mr Kimaiyo has 90 days to do so and provide a report to the authority. “Failing to act on IPOA’s lawful order or directions is an offence under Section 31 of the IPOA Act, attracting a fine of Sh500,000 or imprisonment of three years or both,” warned Mr Njeru.