The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has condemned the attack that led to the death of a traffic police officer on Monday in Mombasa.
In a statement on Tuesday, IPOA chairperson Anne Makori said it was time the Inspector General of Police broadened investigations into the causes of attacks on officers.
She noted that the hostility between police and some members of the public had led to loss of lives, property and livelihood.
"We condemn in the strongest terms possible actions of those in our communities who, whenever aggrieved by actions of law enforcers, result to taking the law into their own hands," Makori said.
In the incident on Monday evening, a motorist dragged and ran over a traffic cop, who later succumbed to the multiple injuries he sustained.
Police said the deceased officer was manning Buxton Junction in Mombasa at about 4.30pm when the incident happened.
Together with his colleagues, they had flagged down a salon car for normal traffic inspection.
The driver is said to have grabbed the officer's hand when he reached for the ignition key, seemingly to switch off the engine.
He then engaged the drive gear and accelerated with the officer hanging from the window and dragged him for almost 200 meters.
The officer then fell off the car and rear right wheel of the car ran over him, injuring him on the head.
Police said he sustained multiple injuries in other parts of the body and was rushed to Jocham hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The driver sped off but was later traced to the basement of a parking lot and arrested.
IPOA sent a message of condolences to the family and friends of the officer, the IG and entire National Police Service.
The authority urged members of the public to refrain from taking the law into their own hands and instead follow the proper channels in reporting police misconduct.
IPOA pointed out that recommendations made to the NPS in Traffic Management Report of 2019 can be of aid in dealing with the conflicts.
"Some of the recommendations, if implemented, will contribute towards mitigating potential assaults against police officers on traffic management duties in future," IPOA said.
