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IPOA Chair Duncan Ojwang said the authority has the legal mandate to investigate such cases independently and does not have to wait for a complaint from the public before taking action
IPOA Chair Duncan Ojwang said the authority has about 330 employees overseeing more than 1,100 police stations and approximately 130,000 police officers. He maintained the staffing levels limit IPOA’s ability to move beyond investigations and expand regular audits and inspections of police stations, detention facilities and policing operations
“Kenyans want an empowered police service that is safe and engages communities confidently, effectively, professionally, and efficiently,” the authority said.
IPOA told the court that the officers had failed to comply with an earlier order requiring them to give their accounts, prompting the authority to seek another directive to compel them to appear and record their statements.
The new IPOA chairperson had, during his appearance before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on August 12, outlined how he intended to run the authority if given the green light.
The Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) says the deaths involved people aged between 25 and 64, as well as an infant who was being held alongside the mother. The child died at Mamba Police Post, which falls under Matuu Police Station.
The IG directed senior officers to keep a close watch on their junior colleagues and deal with behaviour that goes against the standards of the police service.
During vetting at the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Duncan Ojwang said the IPOA needs adequate resources and staffing, called for better transparency measures such as CCTV and body cameras, and discussed how the authority should work with the Inspector General while preserving independence.
The police service appealed for patience as investigations continue, urging the public to avoid drawing conclusions before the inquiry is completed. It also called on anyone with information that could assist the investigation to report to the nearest police station.
Eric Otieno was arrested on Saturday, August 1, 2026, over allegations of preparation to commit a felony. He was released on cash bail the following day but died while being taken to hospital after his condition rapidly worsened.
KNCHR said the draft law was jointly developed with the Office of the Attorney General (OAG), the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and other stakeholders after a landmark High Court judgment delivered in Kisumu on March 19, 2026.
If Parliament approves the nomination, Oburu will take over the leadership of IPOA, the independent agency tasked with overseeing the conduct of the National Police Service.