The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has asked the National Police Service (NPS) to equip its officers with drone equipment and body cameras while handling protests.
In a statement on Wednesday, June 19, the oversight authority disclosed that the move will enhance accountability during public order management.
IPOA stated that it had already dispatched officers to monitor how police were handling the demonstrations against the Finance Bill 2024.
“Pursuant to Section 6 (c) of the IPOA Act, the Authority yesterday, 18th June 2024 commenced monitoring activities and deployed its officers to observe and monitor how the National Police Service conducted public order management during the demonstrations over the Finance Bill in Nairobi and Mombasa counties.
“The authority recommends that the Service upscales its capacity towards technology-driven surveillance including employment of drone technology and body cameras for enhanced accountability during public order management,” IPOA stated.
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The oversight authority disclosed that it had received cases of excessive use of force by the police during the management of protesting crowds and was expediting the investigations.
It further intimated that it recorded two serious injuries among members of the National Police Service that occurred during the deployment of a tear gas canister.
IPOA asked the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, to ensure police officers were adequately trained on handling equipment.
It further urged the Police IG to ensure officers deployed to contain protests were properly kitted for their safety.
This comes as the anti-Finance Bill protests returned on Thursday across many parts of the country.
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