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IPOA probes fatal shooting of two suspected robbers in South B

A Kenya Police Service vehicle is pictured at a crime scene in this file picture. (Photo:Amina Wako)

By Barack Oduor | Saturday, May 25, 2024

The two, who were on a motorcycle, were killed last Wednesday after allegedly snatching a pedestrian's mobile phone in the area.

The Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) has opened an investigation into the shooting and killing of two robbery suspects in South B, Nairobi, last Wednesday.

The two, who were on a motorcycle, were killed moments after allegedly snatching a pedestrian's mobile phone in the area.

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"IPOA received information about the fatal shooting of two people along Lusaka Road in South B, Nairobi. Pursuant to Section 6(a) of Cap. 86 of the laws of Kenya, IPOA has, on its own motion, sent two rapid response teams to conduct investigations ... Upon completion of investigations and where criminal culpability is proven, the IPOA will recommend prosecution," IPOA Chairperson Cnne Makori said in a statement shared on its X social media page on Saturday.

IPOA's rapid response teams have started investigations into the South B and Kirinyaga fatal shootings.
^#PoliceAccountability #GuardingPublicInterestInPolicing pic.twitter.com/tfRvUKvQIQ
— IPOA (@IPOA_KE) May 25, 2024

After the incident, police reported that the two people stole a woman's phone near the Car and General area and rode towards South B at about 6.30 am.

Their particulars were circulated, prompting an operation during which police officers on patrol bumped into them and opened fire.

Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei said they were investigating the incident and reported that they had received reports of several such incidents in the area.

"We have mobilised teams to profile the gangs behind the trend," he said.

The IPOA is also investigating the shooting and killing of a civilian in Kirinyaga County, purportedly by police on patrol.

The authority is also pursuing the punishment of a police officer for the death of a Bungoma resident. Following the death of George Namalwa Wekesa in Butonge Village, Bungoma County, on December 26, 2018, the IPOA recommended the prosecution of four police officers.

"On its own motion, the IPOA initiated investigations, after which it recommended the prosecution of four police officers, among them Constable Francis Amulei Iyaya."

On April 19, this year, a court in Bungoma found the former police officer guilty of seriously assaulting Wekesa and causing his death. but acquitted the other three suspects.

Iyaya was sentenced to 20 years in prison on May 17.

The authority asked police officers to exercise restraint and prioritise non-violent strategies while pursuing criminals.

"The force used shall be proportional to the objective to be achieved, the seriousness of the offence, and the resistance of the person against whom it is used," Makori noted.