Duncan Ojwang Oburu, President William Ruto's nominee for the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) chairperson, appeared before the National Assembly's Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on 12 August 2026 for vetting.
During the session held in Parliament, Ojwang committed to preserving IPOA's independence in monitoring police conduct, despite IPOA's operational reliance on the National Police Service in some areas.
Focus on Human Rights and Police Culture Reform
Ojwang emphasized the need to train police officers on human rights, particularly in managing public assemblies. He acknowledged that some policing practices are rooted in colonial-era methods but stressed the importance of aligning police conduct with the 2010 Constitution.
He stated, "There is a process of training the current police, all of them, on policing, especially public assembly, within the human rights age. Some of the culture of course are colonial legacy and of how our police came to be, but the police must now understand the 2010 Constitution and mainstream human rights."
Addressing IPOA Structural Challenges
Ojwang also highlighted internal challenges at IPOA, particularly the lack of security of tenure for senior staff. He noted that many deputy directors and the CEO serve on contract terms, a situation he attributed to funding limitations.
- Staff welfare and funding are closely linked issues.
- He expressed the need for adequate financial resources to improve the authority's effectiveness.
When questioned about his academic qualifications, including his absence from the Kenya School of Law, Ojwang assured committee members of his capability to lead IPOA and enhance its oversight mandate.
Context of Vetting
This vetting process comes as IPOA faces increased scrutiny amid public demands for police accountability following protests that led to civilian casualties. The government is under pressure to demonstrate commitment to human rights and to provide compensation for victims of past demonstrations.
