IPOA to probe death of Baby Dan Githinji after shooting in Kahawa West

Investigations into the death of Baby Dan Githinji after a shooting incident in Kahawa West estate have begun.

Baby Githinji who was 2 and 9 months old is alleged to have been hit by a stray bullet on September 8, 2019, in Soweto Village in Kahawa West.

” The police were in the area conducting an operation when the alleged incident happened,” a statement from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said.

The authority’s Chairperson Anne Makori noted that Section 25(1) of the IPOA Act requires them to investigate any death or serious injury caused by police action.

She said IPOA will make appropriate recommendations and forward the investigation file to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions after the probe is complete.

Three other cases to be investigated include the deaths of five-year-old Daisy Chepkoech, Mr. Samuel Njenga Njogoo and an unidentified matatu driver.

Daisy was reportedly shot by police officers during an eviction exercise in Mowlem village, Endebess, Trans Nzoia County.

“Mr. Samuel Njenga Njogoo was arrested on 10th September 2019 on suspicion of theft by police officers from Charagita Police Post, Ol Joro Orok, Nyandarua County. He died while in police custody at Ngano Police Station,” the IPOA statement reads.

Separately, IPOA also dispatched its Rapid Response Team to investigate an incident in which a matatu driver was allegedly shot and injured by a Deputy Police Commander in Embu.

In February this year, Kisumu Resident Magistrate Beryl Omollo found senior police officers including former Kisumu County commander culpable of the death of Baby Pendo.

Local leaders have been piling pressure on the DPP to move with speed and take action on the officers mentioned.