On a July night, two Indian visitors Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan, Mohammad Zaid Sami Kidwai and their local driver Nicodemus Mwania went missing in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital.
Nine police officers have been arrested in connection with the event, which India says it is closely monitoring.
Currently, the Unit has been tasked to investigate the abduction and alleged murder of two Indians and their Kenyan driver on July 24,2022.
The case however, has put special focus on the role of the unit, which was previously known to investigate affairs among Police officers.
Why Was The Internal Affairs Unit Formed?
The Government of Kenya first initiated police reforms agenda in 2002.
In 2007 – 2008 during and after post-election violence the momentum to reform the police was rekindled.
And in July 15,2013, the Internal Affairs Unit of Police was operationalized at Jogoo House.
Internal Affairs Unit is established under section 87 of the National Police Service Act No. 11A of 2011.
It was mandated to receive and investigate complaints against police officers.
The act introduces changes to the Police complaints system.
The initial operations were centred around capacity building and putting in place structures for efficiency and effectiveness.
In November 2018, the Unit was relocated to KCB Towers, Upper Hill.
This was to comply with the legal provision that provides that the Unit shall be housed in separate premises from the rest of the National Police Service.
The Unit upon operationalized it was headed by Mr. Charlton Murithi.
The IAU is currently headed by Eliud N. Kinuthia, CBS,OGW, HSC.
The chairman of the Unit reports to the Inspector-General of Police for the effective and efficient administration, operations, training, and internal oversight of the Unit.
IAU as of April 2022,had received and investigated over 10,000 cases involving police misconduct.
Among the many complaints investigated by IAU include;
1.The shooting of Meru University of Science and Technology student leader on March 2018 during the University demonstration.
2.Leakage of confidential information at the office of Inspector General of Police.
3.Embakasi shooting of a 7 year old child.
4.Human rights watch complaints on sexual abuse against women by men in uniform suspected to be police officers during and after the 2017 general elections.
