Tana River Residents Push for IPOA Office to Improve Police Accountability

By Issa Hussein - Reporter

Kenya ,May 30, 2026 - Residents of Tana River County have called for the establishment of an Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) office in the region, citing the need for greater access to police accountability and oversight services.

The concerns were raised during stakeholder engagement forums held in Garsen on Friday, where IPOA commissioners met members of the public, local leaders and police officers as part of the authority's ongoing outreach programme.

Led by Commissioners Dr Micah Onyiego and Dr Annette Mbogoh, the forums provided residents with an opportunity to air grievances about policing and justice services in the county.

Among the issues raised were poor conditions in police detention facilities, delayed police responses to incidents, alleged extortion in the issuance of P3 forms and the need to strengthen community policing structures.

Residents also urged IPOA to establish an office in Tana River to improve access to its services and facilitate the reporting of complaints against police officers.

Local leaders, including Tana River County Assembly Speaker Osman Noor, pledged support for IPOA's oversight mandate while calling for better welfare and working conditions for police officers.

The commissioners later met officers drawn from Tana Delta Sub-County at Garsen Police Station, where the officers highlighted operational challenges, including inadequate working conditions and the need for investigators to better appreciate local security dynamics.

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During the engagement, the commissioners urged officers to uphold professionalism and observe the law while carrying out their duties.

"The commissioners urged officers to discharge their duties professionally, fearlessly and within the confines of the law while emphasising constructive engagement between police, IPOA and the communities they serve," IPOA said in a statement.

The authority noted that the engagements form part of its broader efforts to promote accountable policing and strengthen public trust in both IPOA and the National Police Service.

"The outreach forms part of IPOA's continued efforts to promote accountable policing and strengthen public confidence in both the Authority and the NPS," the statement said.

IPOA has been conducting similar forums across the country to enhance public awareness of its mandate, improve police accountability and build stronger relationships between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.