Duncan Ojwang Oburu, the nominee for chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), has vowed to restore public trust in the institution and reinforce its independence if approved by the National Assembly.
During his appearance before the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security, Oburu emphasized the need for IPOA to maintain a firm boundary between civilian oversight and police command while fostering a cooperative relationship with the Inspector General and the National Police Service Commission.
He acknowledged that IPOA currently suffers from low public confidence and pledged to work towards rebuilding this trust by engaging more actively with society. Drawing on 15 years of experience handling sensitive human rights cases, Oburu said his leadership would be marked by courage and a commitment to speaking truth to power.
Key Priorities and Challenges
- Accountability: Oburu stressed that IPOA must hold the police accountable and ensure Kenyans have faith in the National Police Service.
- Staffing and Resources: He revealed that IPOA operates with roughly 300 employees, a quarter of its authorized staff of 1,300, attributing this gap to funding shortfalls affecting investigations and staff welfare.
- Institutional Legacy: Oburu referenced IPOA's previous leadership under Macharia Njeru, highlighting a period when the authority was more vocal and confident in its oversight role.
Oburu was nominated by President William Ruto to replace former chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan, who resigned upon his appointment to the Court of Appeal.
He concluded his remarks by assuring the committee that under his stewardship, IPOA would fulfill its mandate effectively and uphold the rule of law in policing.
