Lead image for Why Ipoa must engage more with public, police.
Most Kenyans, including those in marginalised counties, are familiar with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa). For many, Ipoa is primarily associated with investigating and prosecuting police misconduct — in effect, policing the police. That remains a central component of its mandate.
However, Ipoa’s remit is considerably broader. Under section 6 of the Ipoa Act, the authority is also mandated to recommend prosecution of suspected officers, monitor policing operations, inspect police premises and lock-up facilities, publish findings and recommend better working conditions for police officers in the interests of police welfare, among other responsibilities.
Despite having operated for nearly 15 years, Ipoa remains insufficiently understood by many people. This limited understanding has contributed to reduced trust and confidence among both the public and the police, as well as criticism regarding the absence of a sustained feedback mechanism for stakeholders.
In response, Ipoa has initiated a public and police engagement campaign, beginning in the counties with limited access due to geographical and logistical constraints.
The campaign seeks to bridge the gap between the authority and its stakeholders, improve awareness of its mandate, strengthen trust and confidence, provide feedback on oversight issues and establish a basis for grassroots dialogue to improve police-public relations.
So far, the forums have facilitated open and candid conversations between Ipoa, the police, and the public. These discussions addressed people-centred policing, the rebuilding of public-police relations, police appreciation of external oversight, and emerging service-delivery challenges.
They were conducted in Taita-Taveta, Narok, Bomet, Isiolo, Marsabit, Kisii, Homa Bay, Busia, Bungoma, Tana River, Trans Nzoia, Nairobi, Laikipia, and Kirinyaga counties. Ten million people were reached indirectly through media engagement, and 1,858 were reached directly through the forums.
Police participants perceived Ipoa as an institution that oppresses officers and interferes with effective service delivery, while members of the public expressed concern about the length of investigations and limited access to Ipoa services. Both groups described police-public relations as severely strained.