The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) on Monday, March 13, issued a statement after police gunned down two suspected bank robbers in Murang’a.
According to IPOA, investigations surrounding the controversial shooting have commenced and the Authority would take appropriate action if any officer is culpable.
“The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has learnt of a shooting in Murang’a County during which two men were fatally wounded on Sunday, March 12, 2023. Section 25 (1) of IPOA Act, demands that the Authority shall investigate any death or serious injury including death or serious injury while in Police custody, which are the result of Police action or were caused by members of the Service while on duty.
"The Authority launched investigations immediately and has since established police action was an ingredient that resulted in the loss of lives,” the statement read in part.
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The Authority added that the investigations would be transparent noting that a team has been sent to support the regional investigators.
“IPOA has dispatched a Rapid Response Team from Nairobi, to beef up our Nyeri regional investigators. Upon conclusion of its investigations, the Authority shall take appropriate action including recommending to the Director of Public Prosecutions the prosecution of any person found culpable. In all its investigations, IPOA is impartial, fair and transparent,” the statement added.
Police reports on Sunday indicated that there was a shootout between them and the suspects before they managed to gun down the suspects.
However, photos from the scene first showed the two suspects apprehended with their hands tied. It’s not yet clear how the two managed to free themselves and stage a gunfight with the officers.
