The National Assembly has approved the nomination of Duncan Ojwang Oburu as the new Chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
Ojwang will succeed Justice Ahmed Issack Hassan, who relinquished the position following his appointment as a Judge of the Court of Appeal of Kenya.
On August 12, Oburu pledged to speak “truth to power” and defend the rights of Kenyans if approved to lead the police oversight body.
“I believe I am courageous. I speak truth. Trust me with that responsibility. We will speak truth to power,” Ojwang told the committee during his approval hearing.
He said IPOA’s primary responsibility was to protect citizens and ensure that police officers exercised their powers within the Constitution and the law.
“IPOA is the eye of Kenyans because Kenyans are the sovereign of this country,” he said, adding that the authority should remain independent whenever it investigates police misconduct, examines police operations or handles complaints of abuse.
Ojwang said cooperation between IPOA and the Inspector-General of Police should not be confused with subordination, noting that the authority should not take instructions from the police command when carrying out its oversight mandate.
He told the committee chaired by Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo that there was a need to strike a balance between functional independence and cooperation with the National Police Service.
He stated that some aspects of IPOA’s work, including investigations, require complete independence, while other functions such as inspections, reforms and engagement with police authorities require cooperation.
“When it comes to misconduct, reported misconduct, checking operations and investigation, IPOA’s judgment and independence in terms of its operation and judgment cannot allow it to take instructions from the IG,” he said.
Ojwang said IPOA should also become more accessible to members of the public and improve communication with citizens who lodge complaints against police officers.
He pledged to make himself accessible to Kenyans if approved, saying members of the public should have confidence that the authority would listen to their concerns and act on them.
