The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has exposed police in Nyandarua following the disruption of a thanksgiving event attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in December 2024.
In a report released on Thursday, January 2, IPOA revealed that it had investigated the teargas incident and established unprofessionalism on the part of the police.
For starters, IPOA noted that there was intel about a group that planned to disrupt the event.
Some suspects were arrested before the vent. However, IPOA noted that the suspects were not booked and released.
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"At least 60 police officers were deployed without an official operation order. The County Police Commander led the operation but did not log her presence in the station's Occurrence Book. Five suspects were arrested in the morning for planning to disrupt the event," read the report in part.
"They were, however, later released on instructions from the County Police Commander. The released suspects' details were not fully recorded in the Occurrence Book, raising accountability concerns"
On the other hand, the authority acknowledged that a man, said to be a police officer was arrested for allegedly throwing the teargas canister.
IPOA's investigations revealed that proper booking channels were not followed after the arrest.
Consequently, owing to the unprofessionalism exposed in the investigations, IPOA recommended action against the police.
"The suspect police officer’s release without formal booking or investigations highlights negligence and possible abuse of authority by the police," IPOA added.
"On own-motion, IPOA conducted thorough investigations into police inaction, negligence & misconduct and recommends that accountability measures be enforced for officers involved in the inappropriate handling of the incident."
