Nairobi, KENYA: Independent Police Oversight Authority IPOA, has started investigating the killing of a young boy in Pipeline estate in Nairobi that was allegedly done by the Administration police officers.
In a statement on Wednesday, IPOA said it has dispatched its rapid response unit to investigate the incidents with a view to establishing circumstances of the shootings for appropriate action to be taken.
The boy was shot dead as police battled NASA supporters who were to hold a prayer rally at Jacaranda grounds on Tuesday.
Head of Communications and Outreach Department Dennis Oketch, said when the reason is established, they will ensure that officer responsible faces the full force of the law.
He also stated that they will also be looking into the shooting and wounding of an expectant woman when police clashed with supporters of Raila Odinga in Nairobi’s Eastlands.
He further disclosed that investigations for other election-related cases are at an advanced stage and the watchdog will make known the findings on the conclusion of the investigations.
“Upon conclusion, the authority will make recommendations and forward the investigation file to the office of the Director of public prosecution Keriako Tobiko for his attention,” said the statement by Dennis Oketch who is the head of Communications and Outreach Department.
The seven-year-old boy, Geoffrey Mutinda, was playing on the balcony of their first-floor apartment in Pipeline, off Outer Ring Road, in an area that had experienced protests earlier in the day.
Residents said he was shot by men who were Administration Police officers from a nearby post.
“They were riding a motorcycle and were not in uniform but were known to locals,” residents said.
The Kenya Police Service is on the spot over accusations of brutality and extrajudicial killing of opposition supporters in Nairobi and Western Kenya during the election period.
