Kenya police watchdog investigates involvement in the discovery of mutilated bodies

Kenya's police watchdog, the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), is currently investigating the discovery of mutilated bodies found in a Nairobi rubbish tip to determine if there was any police involvement. This follows claims of abductions and unlawful arrests of demonstrators who went missing after recent anti-government protests, where Kenyan security forces have been accused of using excessive force. The National police chief, Japhet Koome, resigned amidst public anger over the protest deaths, with the IPOA revealing that at least nine bodies, seven female and two male, with visible marks of torture and mutilation, were recovered from the dumpsite near a police station. The bodies, wrapped in bags and secured by nylon ropes, were found in a garbage site in the Nairobi slum of Mukuru, sparking concerns of a grave violation of human rights. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations stated that preliminary investigations suggested all victims were killed in a similar manner. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has directed the police to submit inquiry results within 21 days and urged expedited investigations into reports of enforced disappearances and deaths allegedly involving the police. The Kenyan Human Rights Commission highlighted the need for accountability for the perpetrators behind the gruesome discoveries, as homicide detectives and forensic officers worked at the scene of the abandoned quarry filled with water and rubbish. Witnesses reported the discovery of severely mutilated bodies, with images on local television showing efforts to retrieve the human remains. The police are under scrutiny for their handling of the recent protests and reports of abductions, with calls for swift and thorough investigations into these disturbing incidents. The alarming findings have raised concerns about potential police involvement in the deaths and the need for transparency and accountability in the investigations. The IPOA is independently conducting inquiries to establish any police connection to the deaths or failure to prevent them. As the investigations unfold, the public and human rights organizations are closely monitoring the developments surrounding these tragic events, emphasizing the importance of justice and upholding human rights in Kenya.