This archive report was first published on 12 July 2020.
On July 11, 2020, a Mombasa cop, Gerald Sumba, was brutally attacked by a mob in Old Town after he attempted to arrest individuals not wearing face masks.
According to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the incident highlights the growing disregard for the law and the need for citizens to respect the authority of law enforcement officers.
IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori stated, 'The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has noted with concern the incident in which members of the public attacked and seriously injured a police officer in Kibokoni in Mombasa County yesterday.'
The Government had issued a directive on May 13, 2020, requiring all Kenyans to wear face masks in public, with Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe gazetting penalties for violators, including a fine of up to Sh20,000 or imprisonment for up to six months.
Following the attack, the IPOA urged citizens to lodge complaints through the toll-free number 1559, emphasizing the importance of reporting incidents of police misconduct.
