The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) told the court today that it is still struggling to understand the reasoning behind the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (DPP) decision to withdraw charges of crimes against humanity against eight police officers allegedly involved in the 2017 killing of Baby Samantha Pendo.
Representing IPOA, Mrs. Nzwii informed Justice Margaret Muigai that the DPP made the decision without consulting the oversight authority. She emphasized that IPOA was not involved in the process, despite its role in monitoring police conduct.
Citing Regulation 29(8) of the IPOA Act, Mrs. Nzwii clarified that the regulation outlines IPOA’s appropriate level of participation in criminal proceedings. She stressed that IPOA’s intention is not to challenge the DPP but to ensure accountability in the prosecution of officers implicated in the 2017 human rights abuses in Kisumu and other regions.
IPOA further stated that it intends to engage with the DPP to determine whether there is any possibility of reinstating charges against the remaining eight suspects.
