Kenyan President William Ruto has nominated Issack Hassan, the former head of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), to chair the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA). This watchdog investigates misconduct allegations against the police, including unlawful arrests, abductions, and disappearances.
Hassan, who oversaw Kenya’s 2013 general elections, stepped down as IEBC chairman in October 2016 alongside nine other commissioners after opposition demands for leadership changes. His nomination, along with seven proposed members for the IPOA board, will now go to Parliament for vetting and approval.
The IPOA is currently investigating claims of police brutality during anti-tax protests in June, which left at least 60 people dead, as well as allegations of police involvement in abductions and disappearances. Established to address police misconduct and rebuild public trust, the authority plays a critical role in holding officers accountable for abuses.
