IPOA Probes Police Brutality Claims at Multimedia University Protests

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has initiated an investigation into alleged excessive force used by police against a Multimedia University student during recent protests.

The Wednesday incident, which was captured on video and widely shared on social media, has ignited public outrage and demands for accountability. IPOA's preliminary findings suggest that a teargas canister thrown by police into a women's dormitory caused an explosion, resulting in a fire that university staff later extinguished. The student featured in the video reportedly suffered a ruptured leg after being subjected to torture and left near the exploding teargas canister. IPOA has stated that upon concluding its investigation, it will recommend appropriate action, which may include prosecution of officers if wrongdoing is established.

"Upon conclusion of the investigation, IPOA will recommend action, including but not limited to prosecution of officers if culpability is established,’’ the statement from IPOA reads in part.

The authority dispatched a Rapid Response Team to the university to verify the authenticity of the viral video depicting a youth being assaulted by police officers. The protests, organized by students to voice concerns over the university management's failure to maintain proper hygienic conditions, reportedly saw multiple instances of excessive force by police. Footage circulating online shows a student being manhandled by officers in riot gear, with his pleas for mercy ignored. In recent years, human rights organizations such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International Kenya have documented cases of police brutality during demonstrations, including the use of lethal force, unlawful arrests, and physical assaults.

These organizations have consistently called on Kenyan authorities to hold law enforcement officers accountable and to uphold citizens' right to peaceful assembly and protest. IPOA has played a crucial role in investigating police misconduct, with the authority mandated to examine complaints against officers and recommend appropriate action. However, concerns persist regarding IPOA's effectiveness in ensuring police accountability. A 2022 survey indicated that while IPOA is accessible, challenges remain in conducting timely and effective investigations.