IPOA probes alleged police shooting of Grade 10 learner and rape of three-year-old in Meru

Among the latest incidents under investigation are allegations that two police officers were involved in the rape of a three-year-old child in Meru County. Also under investigation is the alleged shooting and killing of a Grade 10 learner by police officers at Kwathambi, near Majengo slums, about two weeks ago, a case that has sparked public protest in Meru town.

IPOA Chief Executive Officer Elema Halake said 18 out of 114 cases have been determined so far. He was speaking at Alba Hotel in Meru town on Friday during an engagement with judicial officials, civil society groups and human rights organisations.

Mr Halake said the Eastern region alone had recorded 1,972 active complaints against the police, involving misconduct, defilement, assault and misuse of power.

"We are not here to punish the police but to hold them accountable for their work and misconduct," he said. He acknowledged concerns over delays in concluding investigations and prosecuting cases, explaining that some investigations involve several agencies and require time to establish the facts before files can be forwarded for prosecution.

He said a number of cases are at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) while investigations continue in others, and assured Kenyans that no case would be left out.

"The authority is actively investigating the incidents. Let me assure the public that no complaint would be swept under the carpet," he said.

The prosecutions are among 114 active cases involving alleged police misconduct recorded in the county. The authority warned that officers found culpable will face the full force of the law regardless of their ranks.

Mr Halake said IPOA is also pursuing several cases arising from police conduct during the Gen Z demonstrations. Seven cases involving alleged excessive force have been forwarded to the ODPP, while six others are at advanced stages of investigation. During the Saba Saba protests, IPOA recorded six additional cases relating to alleged police brutality.

In Meru, the Majengo community has called for an investigation after a minor was reportedly shot dead by police in unclear circumstances. The family and residents want detectives to establish the cause of the death.

Family sources said the learner, identified by relatives as Franklin Munene, was returning home when a plain-clothes police officer shot at him at close range at Kwathambi, near Gitimbine shopping centre, in the evening. He reportedly died instantly at the scene.

Residents later marched to Meru Police Station to protest and demand justice. They alleged that officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Meru town were behind the shooting.(Education News Kenya — https://educationnews.co.ke/news/ipoa-probes-alleged-police-shooting-of-grade-10-learner-and-rape-of-three-year-old-in-meru)

"Our efforts to get any information over the incident have been unfruitful so far. We urge the relevant authorities to intervene and ensure justice prevails. Let the culprits be arrested, prosecuted and punished as per the law," said a resident.

Advocate Kuria Karati said officers who visited the scene failed to secure it properly and did not recover spent cartridges. "The post-mortem examination had not been done on the deceased's body. Police officers who visited the scene of crime also failed to secure it properly. The spent cartridges were not recovered by the time," he said.

Relatives described Munene as an innocent boy with a promising future. "Munene was in Grade 10 with a dream of pursuing higher education despite hailing from a humble background. We are appealing to the government to ensure the culprits are brought to book at all cost," said a villager.

The body was taken to the Meru Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.

"Among the latest incidents under investigation are allegations that two police officers were associated with the rape of a three-year-old child in Meru, as well as an alleged shooting and killing of a Grade 10 minor," Mr Halake said.

IPOA Chairperson Duncan Ojwang said the authority had contributed to reforms within the National Police Service, noting that public participation was critical in improving relations between security agencies and communities. He said IPOA would roll out the Trust47 Initiative in all 47 counties in January, bringing together police officers and members of the public to address mistrust, prevent confrontations and curb abuse of power.

Mr Ojwang, however, challenged Kenyans to respect the law, arguing that disregard for legal procedures and attempts to evade the law sometimes contribute to confrontations with police. He maintained that cases arising from the Gen Z demonstrations remain active, with several files already before the ODPP and the courts.

"Kenyans need to adhere to the Constitution. It is our behaviour to always look for shortcuts and evade the law, then we come out to blame the police," he said.

He also urged the Judiciary to prioritise cases involving human rights violations and expedite their determination so that victims receive justice.

IPOA Commissioner John Muchiri blamed sections of the political class for fuelling violence by hiring goons to disrupt opponents' meetings, putting both civilians and police officers at risk. He challenged lawyers to take a more active role in ensuring politicians are held accountable, saying no individual should be treated as being above the law.

Meru County Commissioner George Omolo acknowledged that police reforms had improved the security sector, noting that mental health challenges among officers sometimes contribute to misconduct and abuse of power. He called on both police officers and members of the public to respect the law, insisting that accountability should apply to both sides.

"Not all police officers are rogue, but we call upon all police officers and members of the public to respect the constitution since nobody is above the law," said Mr Omolo.