The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has ordered the acting Inspector General (IG) of Police, Douglas Kanja, to conduct a thorough investigation into the discovery of human bodies at the Kware dumpsite near Mukuru kwa Njenga, Nairobi.
In a statement on July 12, the ODPP expressed deep concern over these reports, which indicate a grave violation of human rights, especially considering that the dumpsite is only a few meters from a police station.
Additionally, DPP Renson Ingonga has given Kanja 21 days to submit a report on the findings.
“Pursuant to Article 157 (4) of the Constitution, the DPP has directed the Office of the Inspector-General of the National Police Service to conduct a thorough investigation and forward the resultant file for perusal within twenty-one (21) days,” read part of the statement.
According to a report by the Director of Criminal Investigations, the six bodies, all female and in various stages of decomposition were wrapped in nylon papers and reinforced with nylon ropes.
ODPP Asks National Police to Expedite Investigations
DCI had earlier disclosed that the bodies discovered in Mukuru Kwa Njenga on July 12 were all killed in similar ways.
“Preliminary investigations suggest a similar mode of killing for the deceased,” stated the DCI.
The ODPP called upon relevant agencies including the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNHCR) and the Independent Policing and Oversight Authority (IPOA) “to expedite investigations on all reports of enforced disappearance and deaths allegedly committed by police officers and consistently submit reports to the ODPP for review after every seven (7) days.”
Also Read: Mukuru Bodies: DCI Reveals Peculiar Finding on Mode of Killing & Gender
“The Civil Society Organizations and any person with information that may aid the investigative authorities in these cases are urged to cooperate with the government to help bring perpetrators to justice.”
Renson Ingonga further mentioned that the ODPP shall also work tirelessly with relevant government agencies to address the concerns of witnesses, including their safety.
IPOA to Probe Police Involvement
Meanwhile, the Independent Police Oversight Authority-IPOA also raised concerns about the bodies, which were wrapped in bags and secured with nylon ropes, showing visible marks of torture and mutilation, and dumped less than a hundred meters from a police station.
It noted that the “widespread allegations of police involvement in unlawful arrests, abductions and disappearances, and in line with the provisions of the IPOA Act Section 7(a)(x), which dictates that deaths and injuries suspected to have been occasioned by actions, or inaction of the police shall be investigated by the Authority.”
“Rapid Response Team was this afternoon dispatched with instructions to obtain all information that may be relevant in unveiling the circumstances surrounding the deaths,” IPOA said in a statement.
Also Read: Questions as Nine Bodies Are Discovered in Nairobi Quarry
The authority further called on the National Police Service (NPS) to immediately conduct expedited forensic investigations to identify the deceased persons.
Additionally, IPOA stated that it is independently conducting preliminary inquiries to determine if there was any police involvement in the deaths or any failure to prevent them, as the police investigation progresses.
“The facts around these inquiries will determine the next cause of action. The Authority shall not hesitate to make recommendations, including but not limited to prosecution where culpability is found,” the statement further reads.
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