IPOA probes killing of Migori man, suspected Nairobi robbers

What you need to know:

  • An officer identified only as Mr Kikwai was accused of trailing one Mr Alex Omari Kimati after a quarrel at a pool and killing him in the presence of witnesses at Kengonga market.

  • The authority will also investigate similar cases in parts of Nairobi County.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has opened a probe into the police shooting of a man in Kuria East, Migori County, on Monday.

An officer identified only as Mr Kikwai was accused of trailing one Mr Alex Omari Kimati after a quarrel at a pool hall, and killing him in the presence of witnesses at Kengonga market. Kuria East police boss Ahmed Abadikadir denied this report, claiming the victim was a "notorious robber".

SEVERAL CASES

In a statement on Tuesday, the IPOA announced that it had launched investigations into the death of Mr Kimati who was 33 years old.

The authority will also investigate similar cases in parts of Nairobi County.

"IPOA has learnt of incidents in which three suspected robbers were shot and killed in separate incidents in Huruma and Mathare areas of Nairobi on October 29, 2018. In Migori, an Administration Police officer attached to Kegonga Police Division allegedly fatally shot a man in unclear circumstances," stated the statement signed by head of communication Dennis Oketch.

"On its own motion, and acting pursuant to its statutory mandate under Section 25(1) of the IPOA Act that requires the authority to investigate deaths and serious injuries caused by police action, the IPOA has launched independent investigations into the incidents with a view of unravelling the circumstances that led to the fatal shootings, and more particularly whether the police officers were justified in the use of their firearms."

Some residents of Kegonga welcomed the move and were optimistic that justice will be served.

"We are happy that the IPOA has taken up the case of our brother. We hope that ultimately, justice will be served," said Mr Mwita Chacha, a resident.