Residents of Kisumu have petitioned the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the alleged midnight demolition and looting of a school and a church in Kisumu Central, citing concerns over the role of police officers in the operation.
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 vehicles.
The petitioners questioned whether the officers had been deployed to facilitate or protect the demolition, which they said was carried out under a purported court order whose authenticity they want investigators to establish.
Led by human rights defender George Audi Ogada, the residents called for an independent investigation to determine whether the operation was lawful and whether police officers facilitated, permitted or failed to prevent any illegal activity.
They also asked 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 names Kisumu Central Officer Commanding Station Chief Inspector Benson Matheka, whom the residents want to account for the reported police deployment.
The allegations have not been independently verified. Any criminal or disciplinary liability would need to be established through investigations and due legal process.
Recently, Kisumu county commissioner Ramadhan Mwabudzo order for thorough investigations over the demolition, saying those responsible must face full force of the law.
Two Kisumu City officials have already been sent on compulsory leave over the alleged demolition.
They include Director of Inspectorate City Nicholas Abong’o and Ismael Ochieng, a support staff member in the Department of Environment.
Kisumu City acting manager Fred Mariwa has declined to comment on the suspension of the officers over the demolition, despite repeated attempts to reach him by phone and text message over the past two weeks.
The petitioners also want IPOA to verify the court order, establish why it was allegedly executed at midnight and determine whether the affected parties were served with proper eviction notices.
They asked the watchdog to identify those responsible for the demolition and alleged looting, and establish whether the actions violated property rights or other fundamental freedoms.
The residents urged IPOA to preserve evidence, including police deployment records, Occurrence Book entries, command logs, vehicle movement records, CCTV footage, witness statements and the disputed court order.
They called for 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 legal restrictions, and appropriate redress for affected parties where justified.
Ogada, a commissioner for alternative dispute resolution and a peace ambassador, said residents had begun collecting signatures to demonstrate public support for the complaint.
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 county, parliamentary, human rights and administrative oversight institutions for consideration within their respective mandates.
The residents asked IPOA to acknowledge receipt of the petition in writing and provide updates on the action taken.
They called for a prompt investigation, saying public officials should be held accountable where evidence establishes wrongdoing.
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