The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations after protests by Duka Moja residents in Narok County turned violent on Thursday, January 16, 2025.
, leaving three people dead and a police officer seriously injured.
The locals took to the road to protest after a motor vehicle accident that left a number of their livestock dead, an incident that barricaded the Narok-Kisii Road.
This forced the police to intervene to open up the traffic flow on the road, only for the move to rub the irate residents the wrong way, leading to a violent clash.
IPOA on police conduct
IPOA, in a statement issued on Saturday, January 18, 2025, said the police used firearms and lobbed teargas, resulting in severe injuries of some members of the public and police officers.
“The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) would like to bring to the attention of an incident in which irate members of the public barricaded the Narok Mai Mahiu highway at the Duka Moja Trading Centre within Narok County. The protest followed a motor vehicle accident on the evening of Thursday, 16th January 2025, in which a number of livestock were killed.
“The National Police Service, while responding to the incident to unblock the busy highway to restore normal traffic flow, encountered residents of the area who were demanding compensation for the loss of their livestock. On 17th January 2025, during efforts to restore law and order, the demonstrators continued to disrupt traffic flow on the busy highway. A fight ensued between the police and demonstrators where the police used firearms and lobbed teargas, resulting in severe injuries of some members of the public and police officers,” the statement read in part.
Action against police
IPOA chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan, in the statement, noted further that the authority had deployed its rapid response team to carry out investigations.
Appropriate recommendations for any police officers who will be found culpable for any violations of the law will then be made.
IPOA also condemned the confrontation between the members of the public and police and appealed to the local leadership of the area and other government institutions to find a lasting solution to the frequent incidents of the motor vehicle and livestock accidents.
“Meanwhile, IPOA has since deployed its rapid response team to carry out investigations and will make appropriate recommendations for any police officers who will be found culpable for any violations of the law.
“Consequently, IPOA condemns in the strongest terms possible the confrontation between the members of the public and police. Further, the authority wishes to appeal to the local leadership of the area and other government institutions to find a lasting solution to the frequent incidents of motor vehicle and livestock accidents in the affected area. Further, the authority calls upon the members of the public to remain calm as investigations into the matter are in progress, and any member of the public with any information about the incident is encouraged to visit IPOA offices personally or use its toll-free number 1559,” Hassan stated.
IPOA launches investigations into deaths and serious injuries at Duka Moja, Narok County. ^DD pic.twitter.com/w8cZQqbVYs
— IPOA (@IPOA_KE) January 18, 2025
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