The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) now says it lacks capacity to investigate abduction cases witnessed in the country.
Speaking during a meeting in Meru on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, IPOA chairman Ahmed Isaac Hassan noted that in spite of public suspicion of the police involvement in the abductions, the police IG has denied their involvement, preventing the authority to initiate formal investigations.
He also noted that the abductors using fake number plates and hoods is a concerning issue that police themselves must investigate.
“When you have people in hoods, using fake number plates while abducting people and taking them to different places, it becomes an issue that even police themselves must investigate,” he said.
Hassan’s statement was echoed by IPOA CEO Elema Halake who shared that the authority had accessed the link between police and abductions and presented preliminary findings in court.
He, however, indicated that the authority will only act if police change their stance and admit to the crimes.
Halake also decried challenges faced by the authority including a shortage of officers, resistance from police, who they claim hinder their access to police stations when accessing misconduct cases.
“The investigations are ongoing as you are aware this is a matter that is still in court, we have already presented the preliminary findings in court,” he added.
IPOA’s remarks come amid mounting pressure from the public to prosecute the police after accusing them of being involved in the surge of youth abductions.
Leaders from the political divide have also come forward to finger the authority accusing them of failing to take on their mandated roles and enhancing the cases of abductions through inaction.
