IPOA Chairperson Nominee Pledges to ‘Speak Truth to Power’ if Approved
Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) chairperson nominee Dr Duncan Ojwang Oburu has pledged to defend the rights of Kenyans and safeguard the independence of the police oversight body if approved for the position. Dr Ojwang told the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security during his approval hearing on Wednesday that he would [...] The post IPOA…
Dr Duncan Ojwang Oburu, the nominee for Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) chairperson, has pledged to defend Kenyan rights and safeguard the independence of the police oversight body if confirmed for the role. During his approval hearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Dr Ojwang stated he would "speak truth to power" while collaborating with the National Police Service (NPS) to enhance policing and rebuild public trust.
Dr Ojwang, expressing confidence in his ability to speak candidly, emphasized the IPOA's core responsibility to protect citizens and ensure police officers operate within the Constitution and law. He clarified that IPOA serves as Kenya's watchdog, given the nation's sovereignty.
The nominee emphasized that IPOA's independence must not compromise its ability to cooperate with the National Police Service. While investigating police misconduct, reviewing operations, and handling complaints, IPOA should maintain complete independence to avoid being subordinated to the Inspector-General of Police. Striking a balance between independence and cooperation would enable the authority to carry out effective civilian oversight while maintaining a constructive relationship with the police service.
Dr Ojwang highlighted urgency in addressing issues like deaths in police custody and police brutality. He proposed installing functional CCTV cameras in all police stations and using body cameras by police officers to enhance transparency and provide evidence in misconduct investigations. He also called for digitalizing police records to prevent tampering and improve investigation efficiency.
Moreover, Dr Ojwang pledged to make IPOA more accessible to the public, ensuring Kenyans feel confident that their concerns will be heard and addressed. He noted the need for additional resources and personnel to effectively fulfill IPOA's oversight mandate, given its expected oversight of over 100,000 police officers across the country.
Written by urgent.news from KahawaTungu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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