The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has given an update on alleged cases of abductions which have been on the rise since the onset of anti-Finance Bill protests which were led majorly by the youth.
In a statement on Friday, July 12, IPOA stated that it has so far registered 10 complaints of unlawful arrests, abductions and disappearances which are at different stages of analysis and investigations.
“The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is seized of media reports of unlawful arrests, abductions and disappearances of members of the public including participants in the recent anti-Finance Bill protests. It is alleged that the aforementioned unlawful arrests, abductions and disappearances are committed by members of the National Police Service,” read part of the statement.
Further, the Authority provided details of the ten complaints, divulging different actions that have since been undertaken following public uproar.
According to IPOA, eight of the alleged abductees which includes popular X platform personality Osama Otero and newspaper columnist Gabriel Oguda, were inaccessible.
The Authority made the claims while noting that the said victims have since been found alive with allegations of harassment and torture, further asking them to record statements with the oversight Authority.
IPOA Claims Osama, Oguda, Shad Kiprono and Others Not Accessible
Other abductees who the Authority says are inaccessible are Austin Omondi, John Frank, Drey Mwangi, Shadrack Kiprono, and Leslie Muturi, with all their cases reported in Nairobi.
“IPOA is unable to access victims of these unlawful arrests, abductions and disappearances. It therefore requests victims and any other relevant eyewitnesses to come forward and record statements to facilitate speedy investigations of these allegations,” said IPOA.
Also Read: Oguda Makes Comeback After Twitter Blackout
In another case involving one Joseph Mwangi, IPOA noted that the victim is still missing and requested relevant eyewitnesses to come forward and record statements to facilitate speedy investigations of these allegations.
The Authority also provided an update on Denzel Omondi, a third-year university student at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
For Omondi whose body was found dumped at a quarry in Juja, Kiambu County, IPOA said that it attended post- mortem, adding that it has requested for police documents.
JKUAT Student and Isiolo’s Alleged Abductions Case
IPOA has also called upon eyewitness accounts including anyone who can provide sunnily verifiable CCTV footage or photographs in relation to the murder of the JKUAT student.
Also Read: Autopsy Report Reveals What Killed JKUAT Student Found Dumped in Quarry
In Isiolo County where three Kenyans were reported to have been abducted, the Authority gave an update saying that the matter was under preliminary assessment and investigations.
IPOA has further appealed for eyewitness accounts from any person who may have information on the disappearances and any other complaint under IPOA investigations to kindly volunteer information, CCTV footage and photographs to advance its investigations.
To offer information, one can call toll free through 1559 (free of charge) or 0204906000. IPOA also informs the general public that it has an anonymous reporting platform.
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