Stop attacking police officers, IPOA warns Kenyans

Members of the public are being warned against attacking police officers.

A statement from the Independent Police Oversight Authority termed such acts as criminal and an attempt at fostering anarchy.

“IPOA strongly condemns these attacks….With a serving Police Service and a robust Judiciary in place, it is unacceptable for anyone to take the law into their own hands,” the agency said.

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This comes days after two videos began doing rounds on social media showing police officers being attacked by civilians.

In the first video, members of the public allegedly who were matatu passengers are seen physically pushing and hitting an officer.

It was not immediately clear what led to the altercation though there are claims that he attempted to solicit for a bribe.

In the second video, a tuk tuk operator in Nakuru was caught on camera throwing stones at two police officers.

A report in the Standard newspaper claims that the officers destroyed the operator’s windscreen and side mirrors.

“I got annoyed and demanded to be given answers, as they tried to intimidate me, saying there was nothing I could do to them,” he told the local newspaper.

Despite these claims, IPOA remained categorical that Kenyans cannot be criticising the police yet they perform the same acts that they condemn.

What is going on here? Were 2 police officers repulsed by a TukTuk driver. #DriveByTukTukEdition#UtumishiKwaWote pic.twitter.com/UKXCyizVqU

— Waihiga Mwaura 🇰🇪 (@WaihigaMwaura) November 25, 2018

Elsewhere, a Migori MCA has petitioned IPOA over alleged harassment of bodaboda operators by police.

Mr. Samwel Orima (North Kamagambo Ward) is demanding action against police officers said to be involved.

According to him, the decision to petition IPOA has been occasioned by constant harassment of bodaboda operators which has left over five of them with injuries.

He reiterated that police officers are supposed to act.

The legislator however appealed to bodaboda operators to adhere to traffic rules.

Additional report by George Juma