The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja have pledged to strengthen cooperation on police accountability, with Kanja affirming that the National Police Service will not shield officers who act outside the law.
The commitment was made on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, when IPOA Chairperson Dr Duncan Ojwang Oburu led a delegation to meet Kanja at the National Police Service headquarters at Jogoo House A in Nairobi.
The meeting focused on strengthening institutional engagement, improving accountability and building public confidence in policing through closer cooperation between the two institutions.
Kanja reaffirmed the police service’s commitment to working with IPOA, saying challenges facing the institutions should bring them closer together rather than undermine their relationship.
He emphasised that police officers must operate within the law and be held accountable for their actions, highlighting the importance of preventing misconduct rather than relying solely on action after violations occur.
Ojwang, meanwhile, stressed that public trust must be built before a crisis, calling for continuous engagement and mutual support between the oversight authority and the police service.
He noted that effective police oversight and a strong police service were complementary rather than competing interests, arguing that both were necessary for a professional institution that serves the public.
The IPOA chairperson called for sustained collaboration that strengthens policing while promoting accountability and public confidence.
The discussions also explored ways to deepen institutional engagement, including supporting research and addressing policing concerns through cooperation between the two institutions.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to working towards a professional, accountable and rights-respecting National Police Service.
The meeting comes as IPOA continues to exercise its civilian oversight mandate over policing in Kenya.
Established under the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act of 2011, the authority investigates complaints against police officers, including deaths and serious injuries arising from police action, and monitors police operations to promote lawful conduct.
IPOA can recommend prosecution or disciplinary action following investigations, while the relevant authorities are responsible for acting on those recommendations in accordance with the law.
The relationship between the oversight authority and the police service is therefore central to ensuring that allegations of misconduct are independently examined while broader policing reforms are pursued.
The delegation included IPOA Vice Chairperson Anne Wanjiku Mwangi, commissioners and Chief Executive Officer Elema Halake.
The leaders reiterated that continued cooperation would be essential to strengthening accountability mechanisms and improving public confidence in the National Police Service.
