Nearly 4,000 police officers are currently being investigated for alleged misconduct, while 47 have been convicted in successful cases, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has confirmed.
The disclosure was made by IPOA Deputy Director for Inspection, Monitoring and Preventive Services, Munene Mugambi, during a televised interview on February 16, 2026, as the authority emphasized its commitment to policing accountability.
Mugambi offered detailed figures on ongoing operations, noting the breadth and complexity of investigations. “As we speak, we have 3,988 officers under investigation for police excesses,” he said.
“This includes matters pending investigations at IPOA. Out of these, we have secured convictions against 47 officers across thirty-three case files involving deaths, serious injuries, sexual offences and other human rights violations.”
He explained that the investigative process is deliberate, involving statement collection, internal reviews, and referrals to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
“Investigations are not an event. To expect convictions at this point is to over-expect,” Mugambi said, stressing that thoroughness is necessary to ensure that prosecutions can withstand judicial scrutiny.
Responding to public concern over delays in some cases, Mugambi addressed remarks from National Assembly Minority Whip Junet Mohamed.
He clarified that Mohamed and his team are yet to submit statements required for some investigations, though work continues.
“That doesn’t necessarily mean investigations are stalled,” Mugambi said. “Honourable Newton and team appeared before us previously on another incident, and we are still progressing those investigations.” He emphasized that the authority prioritizes sound, legally solid cases over rushing outcomes to satisfy public pressure.
Mugambi also highlighted the impact of funding and resource limitations on IPOA’s work. “We are not denying that we have funding and resource challenges. We’ve been appealing to members of Parliament to support IPOA around resources,” he said.
Since 2011, IPOA has handled complaints ranging from unlawful killings and torture to sexual misconduct by officers. While the number of successful convictions is limited, the current statistics reflect the ongoing prevalence of alleged police misconduct and underscore the authority’s continued effort to hold officers accountable.
