The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has made a decision on the attacks against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
The Authority has recommended disciplinary action against Nyandarua police bosses for professional misconduct.
According to the oversight body, their investigations have revealed that the police chiefs did not take action deliberately citing negligence in the Shamata chaos.
Chaos erupted at the Thanksgiving event that took place on December 28, 2024, after a teargas canister was thrown near the VIP section.
Consequently, chaos ensued at the event and a teargas canister landed near the dais as Nyandarua Senator John Methu gave his speech.
Gachagua criticized the police for their actions during the incident, accusing them of enabling politically motivated disruptions.
“Why do you allow yourselves to be used for political purposes?” he asked, noting the presence of both a uniformed inspector and a plainclothes officer when the incident occurred.
According to IPOA, the suspect, who was alleged to be a police officer, was saved from mob justice and taken to Ndaragwa Police Station.
However, IPOA’s investigation uncovered significant shortcomings in the handling of the case.
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Investigation Reveals Police Negligence
The oversight body reported that at least 60 officers were deployed under the command of the County Police Commander, who failed to record her presence in the Occurrence Book.
According to IPOA, despite prior intelligence suggesting potential disruptions, no operational plan was prepared to manage the event’s security.
Further, the investigations revealed that earlier in the day, five individuals accused of planning the chaos were arrested but later released on the instructions of the County Police Commander.
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IPOA highlighted that the details surrounding their release were inadequately documented, raising concerns over accountability.
“Five suspects were arrested in the morning for planning to disrupt the event. 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,” the Authority noted.
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Punishment for Attack on Gachagua
The oversight authority emphasized that the police officers tasked with managing the event failed to execute their responsibilities effectively, with their actions bordering on an abuse of authority.
Furthermore, the suspect responsible for the teargas incident was also released without being formally booked or investigated. IPOA described this as unprofessional and indicative of negligence.
Following its investigation, IPOA recommended that accountability measures be enforced against the officers implicated in mishandling the incident.
“IPOA conducted thorough investigations into police inaction, negligence and misconduct and recommends that accountability measures be enforced for officers involved in the inappropriate handling of the incident,” the Authority said.
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