The Authority partners with Kenyan and international institutions which align with oversight in the security sector

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) on Thursday hosted a delegation from the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF) for a scoping meeting that was also attended by the Republic of South Africa’s Military Ombudsman and Kenya’s Commission on Administrative Justice (CAJ).

The meeting sought to share insights, experiences and challenges of policing the uniformed forces, ahead of the CAJ’s planned stakeholder engagement workshop, projected to bring together institutions that are primarily involved in matters of legislation, protection of human rights, security and dispute resolution.

IPOA Chairperson, Mrs Anne Makori hosted the delegation comprising DCAF’s Assistant Director and Head of Policy Research Dr Hans Born and Programme Manager of DCAF’s Ombuds Programme Daniel Reimers. From South Africa’s Military Ombudsman were; Liet Gen (Rtd) Vusumuzi Masodo, Jonas Velile and Kgomotso Mokgethi. CAJ was represented by Vice Chairperson Mr. Washington Sati and Dr Mary Kimari, the Assistant Director Advisory Services.

IPOA Chairperson, Mrs. Anne Makori during the meeting with the delegation. PHOTO/ EMMA MUGAA

Mrs Makori, acknowledging that oversighting members of the uniformed forces as a tough task, underscored the need for continuous dialogue and cooperation between institutions to improve working relations and enhance effectiveness.

She highlighted the various strides that IPOA has made since its establishment saying that most of its recommendations to various agencies had been adopted and implemented.

These recommendations touch on police housing, police remuneration and allowances, provision of armored personnel carriers, the police vehicle leasing programme among others. Mrs Makori was flanked by the management, led by the CEO Mr Elema Halake.

IPOA Directors Mr Emmanuel Lagat (Investigations), Mr Mugambi Munene (IRM) and Mr Festus Kinoti (Legal) when they attended the meeting.

IPOA’s DIRM Mr Munene Mugambi, DI Emmanuel Lagat, Ag DCL Mr Festus Kinoti, and HOC Dr Ruth Kaguta were also present.

Mr Halake took the delegation through the structure of IPOA and the operational procedures while Mr Mugambi and Mr Kinoti exhaustively explored matters concerning the operations of the Inspection Research and Monitoring (IRM) and Legal Directorates respectively.