NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun, 15 – The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has launched an investigation in response to a complaint after a woman was raped inside a holding cell at Sega Police Post, under Ukwala police Station, Siaya County on April 12, 2021.
The woman was being detained on accusations of failing to wear a face mask. Upon release from custody, she reported the beastly attack at Ukwala police station, and the Authority took up the matter for investigation.
“On the strength of our investigation, it was recommended to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions that Police Constable Cosmas Chirchir be charged with the sexual offence. After independently reviewing the case file, the ODPP concurred there was sufficient evidence to sustain a trial in court and directed that the officer, be charged with rape and abuse of office,” said IPOA in a statement.
On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, Police Constable Chirchir was placed in lawful custody in connection with the incident. Today, Wednesday, June 15, 2022, he is scheduled for arraignment at Ukwala law courts to take plea for both charges.
“Offences against the person are taken very seriously by the Authority. They leave physical and emotional wounds long after the ugly incidents occur. The Authority has therefore, invested a lot of resources to ensure complaints into sexual offences are responded to within the stipulated timelines,”said IPOA Chairperson Anne Makori.
Assault incident in Homa Bay
Separately, four police Constables are lined up for various charges at the Bondo law courts, Wednesday June 15, 2022.
“The Authority investigated them after Mr. Samuel Odongo Okwero, was inflicted with injuries after a routine police stop at Usenge Township, Siaya County on December 7, 2016,”
Investigations established that the incident involved four police officers from Usenge Rural Border Patrol Unit.
A case file containing findings of the investigation was forwarded to the ODPP, with recommendations to charge the officers.
“On directions of the ODPP, after independently reviewing the file, Constables Sammy Kirui of Kamagambo police station and Nicholas Ndalo of Ukwala Police station are scheduled to be charged with “assault, causing actual bodily harm.”
Further, the former is to be joined in the dock by Constables Felix Maobi of Isebania police station and Daniel Kimori of Uriri police station; they face an extra charge – disobeying summons by the Authority contrary to section 31 (1) (a) of IPOA Act.
ODPP further directed that an identification parade be conducted, with the aim of identifying two other officers who may have been involved in the assault.
“The Authority, by issuing summonses gives officers an opportunity to explain their deeds. However, some have gone ahead to disregard summons. Doing so will not keep our investigations in limbo, it will only attract extra charges and it is important for all officers to understand this,” added Mrs. Makori.
Want to send us a story? Contact Shahidi News Tel: +254115512797 (Mobile & WhatsApp)
