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Attella was leading the procession of the interns who are yet to be posted accompanied by other KMPDU officials.
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Hell broke loose when the procession was along Harambee Avenue and headed to the Treasury to present their grievances to the relevant officials.
Image: FILE
The Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) has opened a probe into Thursday’s incident that saw KMPDU Secretary General Davji Attella injured as police dispersed demonstrating medical interns.
In a statement Friday, the Authority said it was seized with the matter and currently conducting inquiries into the unfortunate injuring of demonstrators.
“As mandated by Section 6(c) of Cap 86 of the Laws of Kenya, the Authority monitored the enforcement of public order management by members of the National Police Service,” the statement signed by Chairperson Ann Makori reads.
Attella is said to have been hit by a teargas canister sustaining deep cuts in the forehead as police dispersed medical interns who were protesting in Nairobi.
He was leading the procession of the interns who are yet to be posted accompanied by other KMPDU officials.
Hell broke loose when the procession was along Harambee Avenue and headed to the Treasury to present their grievances to the relevant officials.
KMPDU said they had written to the Nairobi area regional police commander to provide security during the procession.
According to the union, 1,215 medical interns are awaiting posting with some having waited for either six months or one year.
The swift action by the agency was after a widespread condemnation of the police over the incident.
The International Commission of Jurists condemned the use of unlawful force by police.
IPOA has at the same time said it has launched investigations into two separate shooting incidents allegedly involving police in Kitale, Transzoia and Kasarani areas in Nairobi.
In the Kitale incident, a prison warden was shot dead outside Kitale law courts by a police officer who thereafter attempted to take his life.
“Upon learning of the incident, IPOA on its motion immediately deployed its Rapid Response Team from the Eldoret regional office to initiate investigations into the matter and establish the facts of the unfortunate incident,” Makori said.
In the second incident said to have happened in Kasarani, two brothers are said to have been shot dead by suspected police officers at Lucky Summer.
The opening of the inquiry, the Authority stated, is a result of a complaint by Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera linking Kasarani police to the killing.
IPOA is mandated by the constitution to investigate deaths caused by police action and to monitor policing operations before recommending appropriate relief including internal disciplinary action and prosecution where criminal culpability is established.
“Therefore, the Authority commits to expedite investigations into these matters to bring closure to all those affected,” it states.