NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 21- The Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has ordered the prosecution of 15 police officers and six Busia County askaris over several charges during Covid-19 curfew operations.
This is after an investigation by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority into an incident that happened in Nambale town on March 30, 2020.
IPOA chairperson Anne Makori said they learned of the incident where police lobbed teargas into a private home and seriously assaulted the owner, Benard Orenga, his wife, children and neighbours afterwards.
“IPOA immediately launched investigations into the matter. On finalizing of the investigations and upon independent review and concurrence with IPOA’s recommendations, the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed that 15 Police Officers and six County enforcement officers attached to Nambale sub- county who were assigned police duties be charged in court,” she said.
Their charges will include assault causing actual bodily harm, malicious damage to property and attempting to injure by an explosive substance.
The Ward Commander who led the operation will also be charged with the additional offence of negligence in the discharge of official duty.
The officers are set to take plea on February 1, 2021 in Bungoma.
The authority is still investigating incidents that happened during the curfew and has since charged some of them.
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