Kenya’s police watchdog, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), is currently investigating the discovery of nine mutilated bodies in an abandoned quarry near the Kware police station in Mukuru, a collection of slums south of Nairobi. The bodies, wrapped in bags and secured with nylon ropes, exhibited visible marks of torture and mutilation.
According to IPOA, seven of the deceased individuals are believed to be female, while the remaining two are male. The agency has expressed concerns about potential police involvement due to the proximity of the dumping site to the police station and the widespread allegations of unlawful arrests and abductions by the police. IPOA has initiated preliminary inquiries to determine if any police officers were involved in the incident.
The police have been under scrutiny following the deaths of numerous individuals during recent antigovernment demonstrations. Rights groups have accused the officers of employing excessive force. In response to the criticism, Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome resigned, as announced by the presidency on Friday.
Activist Miriam Nyamuita from the Mukuru Community Justice Centre stated that most of the bodies found had decomposed, except for one that was relatively fresh. She expressed uncertainty regarding the connection between the bodies and the protests, suggesting the possibility of femicide due to the majority of victims being women.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission, a non-governmental organization, has called for a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the deaths and hold the responsible parties accountable. The commission emphasized the importance of the government taking responsibility for this heinous crime.
The demonstrations initially arose in response to the government’s proposed tax hikes in a new finance bill. Although President William Ruto has since revoked the tax increases, protesters continue to demand his resignation and accountability for the excessive violence perpetrated by the police.
