The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has stepped in following the death of a 38-year-old man who succumbed to injuries after he was beaten by police officers for flouting curfew orders on Wednesday, August 18, 2021.
The death of John Kiiru resulted in protests in Nairobi's Kayole area, with members of the public engaging police officers in running battles.
Irate residents blocked roads leading in and out of Kayole, and set fires along the roads as they demanded justice for the deceased.
“IPOA, today (Wednesday) received information on the death of a man at Tushauriane area of Kayole, Nairobi. Pursuant to Section 25 of IPOA Act which requires that deaths that result from police action or are caused by members of the National Police Service while on duty be investigated, the Authority launched investigations into the death today,” a statement by IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori read in part.
She assured that IPOA will investigate the matter fully to ensure that the victim died of injuries inflicted by police officers enforcing the curfew orders.
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Makori also vowed to ensure that action is taken against the officers responsible should they be found guilty.
Kiiru was on board a boda boda headed home when they were intercepted at Tushauriane Stage by officers enforcing the dusk to dawn curfew. The rider managed to escape, but Kiiru while attempting to flee on foot was brutally beaten up by the officers.
Before he died, he managed to call his wife Esther Wanjiru, informing her that he had been roughed up by police officers.
Kiiru was left lying on the ground and succumbed to his injuries. His body was still at the scene of the incident on Thursday morning.
Irate Kayole residents staged demonstrations following the incident, demanding that action be taken against the officers responsible for the 38-year-old's death.
