Kenya Police have killed 15 people, injured 31 in COVID-19 curfew enforcement – IPOA

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) says 15 people have been killed and 31 others injured by police officers since Kenya heightened security measures to curb the spread of the novel Coronavirus.

About 87 complaints which include deaths, shootings, harassment, assaults resulting to serious injuries, robbery, inhuman treatment and sexual assault are currently being investigated by the Authority.

“After preliminary investigations, fifteen (15) deaths and thirty-one (31) incidents where victims sustained injuries have directly been linked to actions of police officers during the curfew enforcement,” reads a statement signed by IPOA chairperson Anne Makori.

Further, IPOA has dispatched Rapid Response teams to establish the circumstances that led to six other fatalities in the latest incidents.

They include two fatalities within Katanin Village, Kabiyet Sub-County, Nandi County on May 29, 2020, the gunning down of a man in Mathare, Nairobi on June 1, 2020, the fatal shooting of three family members in Kwale on May 30, 2020 as well as shooting of a woman at a police roadblock in Emali on May 31, 2020.

“Upon conclusion of the investigations and pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Act, the Authority will make recommendations, including prosecution if criminal culpability is established on the part of the police officers involved,” the statement reads.