IPOA says it has dispatched teams to probe abduction incidents

So far, Bernard Kavuli, Peter Muteti and Billy Mwangi have been reported missing and footage of them being taken forcefully was seen across media platforms. The youthful Kenyans went missing after making controversial posts on social media. 

The abductions have sparked uproar across Kenya, which the police being accused of forcefully taking the social media users. 

On Wednesday, the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) said it has received reports of abductions perpetrated by police. 

According to IPOA, it has received reports of abductions of 5 people from Kajiado, Nairobi and Embu. 

“In line with provisions of Section 6(a) of the IPOA Act, which obligates the Authority to investigate any complaints related to disciplinary or criminal offences committed by any member of the Service, Rapid Response Teams were dispatched to the areas of incidents with instructions to obtain all information that may be relevant in unveiling the circumstances surrounding the abductions and whether there was police involvement as generally alleged,” IPOA said in a statement. 

The Authority added that if any members of the National Police Service (NPS) are found culpable, action will be taken on them. 

“Where fault is found, the Authority shall make recommendations for prosecution, internal disciplinary action or any other appropriate relief, and shall make public the responses received to these recommendations,” it stated. 

IPOA called on police Inspector General Douglas Kanja to take action to stop the growing trend of abductions. 

In an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, IG Kanja denied police involvement in the abductions. 

“Police officers are always at the forefront in the defense of freedoms and rights of the people. That is actually our training. To defend the rights of the people. Now, abduction does not come here because in doing so, you are not defending the rights of those people,” he said. 

On Wednesday evening, cartoonist Kibet Bull and his brother were also reported missing, with reports suggesting they were abducted.