The Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) in Kenya is currently investigating potential police involvement in the discovery of mutilated bodies found in a Nairobi rubbish tip. The IPOA is also looking into allegations of abductions and unlawful arrests of demonstrators who went missing following anti-government protests.
Initially, the police reported finding the severely mutilated remains of six women, bound in plastic bags, at a garbage site in an abandoned quarry in Mukuru, located in the southern part of the capital city. However, the IPOA later confirmed that at least nine bodies had been recovered, seven of which were female, and expressed the need for swift investigations to identify the victims.
The bodies showed signs of torture and mutilation and were discovered less than 100 meters away from a police station, raising concerns about possible police involvement. This comes as Kenyan police are under scrutiny for their response to recent protests that resulted in numerous deaths.
Following the protest-related fatalities, National Police Chief Japhet Koome resigned, becoming the latest casualty in President William Ruto’s efforts to address the ongoing crisis in Kenya triggered by proposed tax hikes and widespread discontent among the population.
As crowds gathered at the site where the bodies were found, chants of “Ruto must go” echoed, reflecting the sentiment of the protest movement led by young Kenyans.
The IPOA is conducting independent inquiries to determine if there was any police involvement in the deaths or a failure to prevent them. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations is also looking into the matter, indicating that all victims were killed in a similar manner.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions expressed deep concern over the discovery of the bodies and called for swift action to address the grave human rights violation. It urged the police and other state agencies to expedite their investigations into cases of enforced disappearances and deaths allegedly linked to law enforcement.
Human rights organizations like the Kenyan Human Rights Commission are demanding a comprehensive investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable for the heinous crime. Despite frequent accusations of excessive force and unlawful killings, there is often limited accountability for police actions in Kenya, prompting calls for greater oversight and transparency.
Koome’s resignation and Ruto’s cabinet reshuffle are seen as attempts to address public grievances and restore order in the face of mounting unrest and civil dissatisfaction.
