This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
On June 8, 2020, the Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i, led a meeting that brought together several agencies to support the IPOA in taking action against police brutality during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The meeting aimed to address the challenges posed by the new security regulations, which had hindered the IPOA's investigations into police brutality cases.
As a result of the meeting, IPOA and KNHRC will be included in the Gazette notice listing institutions that offer essential services, allowing their officials to bypass boundaries during investigations.
According to IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori, all investigations will be impartial and independent, and the authority will address all cases of police brutality and excesses.
The decision was prompted by a recent incident where police officers denied officials from KNHRC access to the Thika boundary, citing that they were not essential service providers.
With the listing, officials from IPOA and KNHRC will now be able to access any part of the country when on duty, ensuring that investigations into police brutality cases can proceed without hindrance.
