A political firestorm has erupted after nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba dropped a bombshell, calling for the complete abolition of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), accusing it of collusion with police leadership and compromising its mandate.
The outspoken UDA senator questioned the credibility of IPOA following a highly unusual joint press briefing held on June 12 by IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja — a move she says completely undermines the authority’s independence.
“Why are they standing together like allies?” Orwoba asked, visibly outraged. “IPOA was meant to keep the police in check, not walk hand in hand with them delivering what seems like a rehearsed message.”
Orwoba further alleged that the Executive is pulling the strings behind IPOA’s operations by controlling its funding — raising serious concerns about political interference and the death of objectivity in police oversight.
“It’s a sham. IPOA cannot claim to be independent while its budget is dictated by the same government it’s supposed to monitor. It must be disbanded,” she declared.
The controversy stems from the suspicious death of Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody just days after being arrested in Homa Bay for allegedly spreading false information about Deputy IG Eliud Langat.
Following his death on June 8, Hassan and IG Kanja made a joint appearance at Nairobi’s Central Police Station — a scene Orwoba says looked more like a PR stunt than a genuine investigation.
Hassan defended the joint appearance, saying, “I told the IG I was going to Central Police, and he said he would meet me there.” But that casual explanation did little to calm the outrage.
A post-mortem conducted by government pathologist Bernard Midia revealed disturbing details: Ojwang died from blunt force trauma to the head and neck compression — and had other injuries suggesting a violent attack.
Now, critics are demanding answers — and accountability.
As pressure mounts on IPOA and the National Police Service, Kenyans are left asking: Who watches the watchmen?
