By Benson Ndiwa
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Kenya National Human Rights Commission (KNCHR) have pinned blame on the Directorate of Criminal Investigation’s special unit for the killings and abductions of Kenyans that took place during the June -July 2024 protests in the country.
Speaking during a meeting held with the Parliamentary Security Committee, IPOA Chief Executive Officer Elema Halakhe says that some of the investigations they conducted pointed to the special unit.
“On the issue of police units we’ve been able to confirm for example where a kidnapp has happened and we’ve been able to investigate and clearly from investigation is pointing to the special units” Halakhe said
Also in the meeting, the Kenya national human rights commission chairperson Roselyn Odede added that they have evidence of police facilitating anti-protest groups during the June 25th parliament breach.
Odede also highlighted cases of human right violations perpetrated by the police adding that law enforcers arrested innocent children who were later rescued.
“The rights of the children and the welfare of the children were violated and the commission was able to secure release of 45 children who had been arrested. Actually some of these children were held together with adults in sales which is a violation of their right.”Odede remarked.
The protest led to the demise of 60 people, 1800 others detained without charges.
According to the KNHRC report, 601 protesters and 25 police officers were injured.
Members of the Administration and Internal Security Committee convened the meeting amid the skyrocketing cases of abductions and killings targeting various individuals.
The abductions and enforced disappearances have been linked to state security agents.