IPOA condemns assault on Vihiga officer, calls for calm

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has issued a strong condemnation following the brutal assault of a police officer in Vihiga on the afternoon of May 22.

The officer, who sustained severe injuries, was attacked while on duty in Cheptulu, located in Tiriki East Sub-County.

IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan stated that officers from Shaviringa Police Post were conducting a routine patrol along the Muhudu-Shaviringa Road when they encountered a group of individuals suspected of criminal activity.

During the interaction, the suspects are said to have raised an alarm, prompting nearby residents to descend on the officers. The mob attack left one officer critically injured.

In a statement dated May 22, 2025, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) strongly emphasized that acts of mob justice are unacceptable.

The authority warned that such actions not only defy the rule of law but also foster lawlessness and threaten the pillars of public safety and order.

"With a functioning National Police Service and an independent Judiciary, there is no justification for individuals to resort to taking the law into their own hands," IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan said.

"These acts weaken the justice system and compromise the stability of our communities."

The Authority further appealed to Kenyans to remain calm and exercise restraint, urging members of the public to report any cases of police misconduct to IPOA or other relevant oversight institutions.

Chairperson Hassan reaffirmed IPOA’s commitment to holding the National Police Service accountable and upholding the principles of justice and the rule of law.

Kenya has witnessed a worrying surge in attacks on police officers, with law enforcers increasingly coming under threat during active operations, while off-duty, or in surprise ambushes by criminals.

One such incident occurred in December 2023, when a senior officer in Vihiga County was stabbed and his firearm stolen in a brazen daylight attack at a local market.

In Kisumu, a police officer was attacked at a petrol station by armed assailants who stole his vehicle. In Busia, another officer was overpowered and lost his gun to a suspect who escaped across a river.

IPOA continues to investigate cases of extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances.

Notably, the authority is probing incidents where bodies were recovered from rivers, indicating potential police involvement.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is a civilian oversight body in Kenya, established under the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act of 2011.

Its core mandate is to ensure accountability, professionalism, and transparency within the National Police Service.

IPOA was created following key recommendations by the Waki Commission and the Ransley Task Force in the wake of the 2007–2008 post-election violence.

These reforms called for an independent institution to monitor police conduct and restore public confidence in law enforcement.