The Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) has revealed that seven (7) crime incidents were reported at various counting and polling stations across the country during the recently concluded General Election.
Five of the incidents are already being investigated after two of the complaints were subsequently dropped.
A team of 250 IPOA monitors had been dispatched across 46 counties between August 7 and August 12.
Some of the incidents they picked up include an attack and injury of seven people in Garsen, Tana River, on the evening of August 11.
Mr Goricha Jarso Abarabo and six others were allegedly assaulted by police officers providing security at the Garsen High School Constituency Tallying Centre in Garsen Township.
The Authority is also investigating an alleged assault and serious injury to youth in Tiaty, Baringo County, who were singing and celebrating the election of an MCA from Kolowa ward at Chemolingot High School Tiaty Constituency Tallying Center.
Two other incidents are currently being investigated: the alleged indecent assault of a special police officer on the 9th of August 2022 while manning Wanyila Primary School Polling Centre in Webuye, and the alleged shooting of Amon Kibet by a suspected police officer on the night of the 8th of August 2022 at around 2100hrs within Eldoret Town.
In addition, the Authority is also seeking answers in two shooting incidents involving police officers, one at the Mbalambala Tallying Center and the other at Arina Estate in Kisumu County.
According to IPOA, the Mbalambala incident involved members of the public and police following the announcement of the Mbalambala Ward Member of the National Assembly results.
In the Kisumu incident, police opened fire at protesters in Arina Estate, Kisumu County, after the announcement of the presidential election results, seriously injuring Reinhard Omondi Otieno.
Meanwhile, the Authority praised the National Police Service management for ensuring safe polls but suggested that the National Police Service Commission consider better strategies to address police welfare during elections.
The incidents have been forwarded to the IPOA Investigations Directorate for action.
