IPOA launches probe into fatal police shooting of 17-year-old boy in Majengo

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Ibrahim Ramadhan Chege in Majengo, Starehe Constituency, by officers from Shauri Moyo Police Station.

Chege was shot on March 4, shortly after leaving a mosque where he had attended evening prayers, with police claiming that he was carrying a bag of bhang and was shot during an altercation after his friends attempted to prevent his arrest.

He later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital and news of his death ignited renewed outrage among local residents, who barricaded roads around Shauri Moyo and Majengo and clashed with police officers for much of Wednesday.

Three unihut houses belonging to Kamukunji Administration Police Service (APS) officers were set ablaze during the incident.

“In accordance with Section 6(a) of the IPOA Act, which mandates the Authority to investigate complaints related to disciplinary or criminal offences committed by members of the Service, the Authority’s rapid response and forensic investigations team—accompanied by officers specialized in monitoring police conduct during public order management operations—responded to the incident,” said IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan in a statement.

“The team has been tasked with gathering all relevant information to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and assessing how the police handled the demonstrators. The investigation is ongoing, with the Authority having already recorded key statements, attended one postmortem examination, and scheduled to attend another on March 6, 2025.”

The IPOA Chair subsequently sent condolences to the families and friends of the deceased and wished a quick recovery to all those who suffered injuries during the Wednesday protests.

“IPOA further calls upon citizens not to take the law in their own hands and to refrain from any acts of lawlessness,” said Hassan.  

“Separately, the Authority yesterday dispatched a team to monitor police conduct during the management of public order during the demonstrations that have been ongoing at Kakuma refugee camp.”