A rise in complaints targeting police officers in Marsabit County has pushed the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to expand its reach in the area after documenting 121 cases linked to alleged misconduct.
The complaints, shared during the launch of a new IPOA office in Saku, cover allegations such as extortion, assault, failure to present suspects in court within the required 24-hour period, and disputes over how cash bail is handled.
According to IPOA chief executive officer Elema Halakhe, the reports were received from both members of the public and police officers, reflecting concerns on how law enforcement is being carried out in the county.
“These are the complaints we have received from both police and locals that, if not curbed in time, can severely injure the image of our servicemen and women,” said Elema Halakhe.
The authority noted that some of the issues raised point to repeated challenges in following arrest procedures, especially the requirement that suspects be taken to court within a day of arrest.
Other concerns include claims of corruption, withholding of cash bail, and instances where officers are alleged to demand a share of the bail money, matters IPOA says need urgent attention.
IPOA commissioner Nyaga Muchiri said the decision to open the Saku office was driven by the need to make its services more accessible to residents who previously had to travel outside the county to report complaints.
He explained that before the new office was set up, residents were required to go to Meru County to lodge reports, a process that limited access and discouraged some from coming forward.
“A number of police brutality cases involving a few rogue officers have been reported here. Now, this new office will bring our services closer to the residents who previously travelled long distances to Meru County to lodge their complaints about police excesses,” added Nyaga Muchiri.
IPOA has urged residents to use the new office to report any incidents involving police conduct, saying this will help improve response time and strengthen oversight.
Human rights concerns were also raised during the opening, with Mohamed Hassan, a human rights defender, pointing to cases where police operations have affected wider groups of residents, even in situations where intelligence-led action is used.
He said such operations have at times resulted in innocent people being caught up in enforcement actions, raising concerns about fairness and proper conduct.
Mohamed called for faster handling of the reported cases, noting that the accounts shared by residents indicate serious concerns that need immediate attention.
Residents who attended the event also asked IPOA to organize an open forum where they can share their experiences and long-standing grievances, saying such a platform would help improve communication and accountability between the public and authorities.
