The National Police Service was better organised and prepared in providing security during the August 22 General Election, when compared to 2017 polls, shows a preliminary report by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority.

“This is highly commended and encouraged as this are milestone achievements towards police reforms. With regards to the monitoring of police conduct,” the report further notes.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority Preliminary Report on Police Conduct During the 2022 General Election, also made the following findings.

  • That the police largely carried out their mandate professionally;
  • That all police officers were provided with transport during the elections;
  • That most of the officers were trained and briefed by their commanders prior to deployment;
  • That the police also utilised special police officers drawn from Kenya Prisons Service, Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Wildlife Service and National Youth Service;
  • That Police officers in most polling stations were not provided with hot meals. They were however provided with milk, bread and soda;
  • That as at the point of this report release, police officers had not received any allowances;
  • That all police officers assigned polling station duties worked for more than 48 hours resulting in fatigue;
  • That some Police Commanders were non-cooperative and did not share the election related operational orders to foster accountability; and,
  • That some police officers in charge of security at the polling stations did not display their names and service numbers as required by law and further refused to provide contacts.

The Report is in line with the law that requires the Authority to monitor activities that affect members of the public.

During the elections, IPOA deployed 250 officials at polling stations across 46 counties.

The Authority also took up seven complaints and investigations are underway.

  • Garsen, Tana River – Assault of Mr. Goricha Jarso Abarabo and six other people at Garsen High School
  • Eldas, Wajir – Shooting of Mohamed Ahmed Qanyare and wounding of Abdikeyr Mohamed Mohamud at Eldas CDF Office
  • Tiaty, Baringo –  Assault of at Chemolingot High school
  • Uasin Gishu – Shooting of Amon Kibet in Eldoret Town
  • Webuye East, Bungoma – Sexual harassment of a special police officer at Wanyila Primary School
  • Mbalambala, Garissa – shooting at Mbalambala Tallying centre
  • Arina Estate, Kisumu – Shooting of Mr. Reinhard Omondi Otieno