IPOA launches probe after DCI officer allegedly shoots man dead in Garissa

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into the alleged fatal shooting of a man in Garissa County by a police officer.

In a statement issued on Thursday, IPOA Vice Chairperson Ann Wanjiku confirmed that the authority’s Rapid Response Team had already commenced inquiries into the death of Adan Mohamed Hassan, who was shot on April 21 near the Modika Barrier.

According to preliminary findings, the incident unfolded at around 2:20am when Hassan reportedly responded to a distress call from a friend who had been arrested.

During the encounter, officers attached to the Balambala Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) are said to have damaged his vehicle, and what began as an attempt to intervene would end in tragedy.

“While the deceased attempted to intervene, he suffered a fatal gunshot injury. A postmortem examination established the cause of death as a single gunshot wound to the head,” Ms. Wanjiku said in the statement.

“IPOA investigators have undertaken several actions, including attending the post-mortem examination, recording witness statements, obtaining police documents, securing critical exhibits, documenting the crime scene, and documenting both the police and the damaged civilian motor vehicles.”

The authority emphasized that the investigation was triggered following official notification from the National Police Service (NPS), as required by law.

The incident sparked unrest in Garissa on Tuesday, during which protesters marched through the town carrying the body of the deceased and demanding the arrest of the officer involved.