IPOA probing alleged assault, shootings & attempted rape by police during polls- report

Five of the incidents, which took place at various counting and polling stations across the country, are reportedly being investigated; two of the complaints were subsequently dropped.

The incidents were picked between August 7 and August 12 by a team of 250 IPOA monitors deployed across 46 counties. 

One of the incidents under investigation is the attack and injury of seven people in Garsen, Tana River, on the evening of August 11.

According to the IPOA, investigations are ongoing into the alleged assault on Mr. Goricha Jarso Abarabo and six others by police officers providing security at the Garsen High School Constituency TallyingCentre in Garsen Township.

The shooting causing grievous harm and unlawful wounding of Mohamed Ahmed Qanyare and Abdikeyr Mohamed Mohamud on August 11, 2022, by police officers inside the tallying center of Eldas Constituency in Eldas CDF Office, Wajir County, is also being investigated.

The Authority is also investigating an alleged assault and serious injury to a youth in Tiaty, Baringo County, who was among those singing and celebrating the election of an MCA from Kolowa ward at Chemolingot High School Tiaty Constituency Tallying Center.

The complaint was later withdrawn, according to the Authority.

Two other incidents are currently being investigated: the alleged indecent assault of a special police officer on the 9th of August 2022 while manning Wanyila Primary School Polling Centre in Webuye, and the alleged shooting of Amon Kibet by a suspected police officer on the night of the 8th of August 2022 at around 2100hrs within Eldoret Town.

In addition, the Authority is investigating two shooting incidents involving police officers, one at the Mbalambala Tallying Center and the other at Arina Estate in Kisumu County.

According to the IPOA, the Mbalambala incident involved members of the public and police following the announcement of the Mbalambala Ward Member of the National Assembly results.

According to the IPOA, the matter was resolved after a preliminary investigation revealed that the police acted legally.

In the Kisumu incident, according to the IPOA, police opened fire at protesters in Arina Estate, Kisumu County, after the announcement of the presidential election results, seriously injuring Reinhard Omondi Otieno.

Meanwhile, the Authority praised the National Police Service management for ensuring safe polls, but suggested that the National Police Service Commission consider better strategies to address police welfare during elections.

The incidents have, according to the report,  been forwarded to the IPOA Investigations Directorate for action.