Residents of Kisumu have petitioned the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the alleged midnight demolition and looting of a school building and a church in Kisumu Central.
In a petition addressed to IPOA’s Western Kenya regional director, the residents alleged that Joel Omino Early Child Education (ECD) school and Door Christian Fellowship Church were demolished in the presence of more than 20 police officers deployed in three police vehicles.
The petition raises concerns over the alleged involvement of police officers in the operation, including claims that the officers were deployed to protect those carrying out the demolition under the authority of a purported court order whose authenticity has been questioned.
The residents have called for an independent and impartial investigation to establish whether the operation was lawful and whether police officers facilitated, permitted or failed to prevent any illegal activities.
They have also called on IPOA to establish who authorised the deployment of the officers and vehicles, and to examine the operational orders issued before the incident.
The petition specifically raises allegations against Kisumu Central Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Chief Inspector Benson Matheka, whom the residents want to account for the reported police operation.
However, the allegations have not been independently verified, and any criminal liability would need to be established through investigations and due legal process.
The petitioners have also asked IPOA to verify the authenticity and validity of the alleged court order, establish why it was reportedly executed at midnight and determine whether the affected parties received proper eviction notices.
They want the authority to investigate who carried out the demolition and looting, and whether the actions violated property rights or other fundamental freedoms.
The residents have further urged IPOA to preserve evidence related to the incident, including police deployment records, Occurrence Book entries, command logs, vehicle movement records, CCTV footage, witness statements and the disputed court order.
They have called for any officers or other individuals found culpable to face appropriate disciplinary or criminal proceedings in accordance with the law.
The petition also seeks access to relevant court proceedings and orders, subject to applicable legal restrictions, and appropriate redress for affected parties where justified.
In the petition, the residents said the circumstances surrounding the alleged operation raised questions about police accountability, the exercise of public authority and the protection of citizens’ rights.
Ogada said the residents had begun collecting signatures to demonstrate public support for the petition.
The signed document is expected to be submitted to IPOA as supplementary evidence of the community’s concerns.
The petition has also been copied to relevant county, parliamentary, human rights and administrative oversight institutions for consideration within their respective mandates.
The residents have requested written acknowledgement of the petition and communication on the action taken by IPOA.
They said they expected an expeditious investigation, adding that public officers should be held accountable where evidence establishes wrongdoing.
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