Ipoa wraps up probe into Samantha Pendo death, 12 others

What you need to know:

  • Nine-year-old Stephanie Moraa Gisemba was allegedly fatally shot by police as she played on the balcony of their rental house in Mathare North Area 2, Nairobi, on August 12.

  • Ipoa Chief Executive Officer Joel Mabonga said the authority had complied a report on the two killings that sparked public outrage.

The civilian police watchdog has concluded investigations into the alleged killing of Baby Samantha Pendo, Stephanie Moraa and 11 others by police.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) on Monday said it had forwarded a report and its recommendations to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko for action.

BATON

Police were accused of hitting six-month-old Pendo with a baton on the head at after forcing their way into her parent's home in Nyalenda, Kisumu, on August 15.

The officers were part of the team deployed to Kisumu to quell chaos that erupted after the announcement of the August 8 presidential election results.

Nine-year-old Stephanie Moraa Gisemba was allegedly fatally shot by police as she played on the balcony of their rental house in Mathare North Area 2, Nairobi, on August 12.

Ipoa Chief Executive Officer Joel Mabonga said the authority had complied a report on the two killings that sparked public outrage.

Apart from the two files, the authority also said it had finished investigations into claims of police brutality against students of the University of Nairobi.

The investigations followed a video that depicted anti-riot police beating up the learners on campus on September 28.

ACTION

A number of students sustained physical injuries in the attack.

"We submitted a report to the National Police Service Commission for stern disciplinary actions against the responsible commander," Mr Mabonga .

“The officers responsible for this are also expected to be prosecuted.”

Other cases where Ipoa has recommended prosecution of police officers include the alleged rape by a General Service Unit officer at the GSU headquarters in Nairobi on February 9, 2017.

Ipoa said several officers accused of murder in police stations and in other parts of the city were also expected to be taken to court.

They include the alleged fatal shooting of Mr Moses Chege Kanja and grievous injury of Mr Edward Mathenge by two police constables at Mihang’o Police Patrol Base on April 27, 2015.

WAJIR

Others are the death of Mr Salim Juma in police custody on January 20, 2016 in Kongowea, death of Jason Ndindiri Chui in police custody on September 6, 2012 and fatal shooting of Mr Nura Malicha at Soko ya Mbuzi in Kiamaiko area, allegedly by police officers based at Huruma Police Station, on February 21, 2015.

A complaint from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights also led to investigations into the fatal shooting of Mrs Saida Hussein, a teacher at Kilimani Primary School in Isiolo, which occurred on March 23, 2012.

"On the fateful day, an operation to recover stolen livestock was under way when police accessed the deceased’s compound in pursuit of the bandits," Ipoa says in its report.

"Saida was allegedly caught in the crossfire between the police and the bandits as she tried to secure her door."

Investigations into the shooting of Mr Dayib Hussein, Mr Isaack Muhumed, Mr Siyad Adow, Mr Ibrahim Gifey, Mr Yusuf Kitifey and Mr Muktar Bashir in Shitawario Location of Wajir County on September 13, 2016 have also been concluded.

The authority asked members of the public to give more information about other incidents where police officers are involved.