The growing hostility toward police officers has sparked alarm within the Independent Policing Oversight Authority, which now warns that such confrontations are putting the country’s safety and stability at risk.
In a detailed statement issued on Monday, IPOA expressed worry over the rising number of violent attacks, destruction of property, and even deaths involving members of the National Police Service.
The Authority said the trend reflects a deepening rift between sections of the public and law enforcement, something that could derail ongoing efforts to reform the police and strengthen accountability.
IPOA chairperson Issack Hassan cited a string of recent incidents at State House in Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, and Kiganjo Police Station in Kiambu County as examples of this worrying development.
At Kiganjo, part of the police station was reportedly set ablaze, destroying essential infrastructure and disrupting police operations in the region. Hassan noted that such acts not only put the lives of officers at risk but also cripple their ability to maintain order, protect lives, and respond effectively to emergencies.
He warned that violence against the police undermines the spirit of ongoing reforms meant to make policing more transparent, professional, and accountable.
He added that years of effort to rebuild public confidence in the police could be easily lost if such hostility continues. “Attacking police officers not only constitutes lawlessness but also undermines the spirit and intent of ongoing police reforms.
It risks eroding hard-won progress in enhancing accountability and professionalism in policing,” he said.
The Authority extended its condolences to families who have lost loved ones in these attacks and urged security agencies to move swiftly to arrest those responsible. IPOA also appealed to the public to remain calm and resolve their grievances through lawful means rather than resorting to violence.
Hassan reminded Kenyans that any concerns about police behavior should be reported through formal complaint mechanisms rather than through confrontation.
“IPOA therefore urges the public to uphold the rule of law and to seek redress through legally established channels in instances of police misconduct,” he emphasized.
The warning followed a chilling attack outside State House in Nairobi, where Constable Ramadhan Khamisi Matanka was killed while on duty.
Police reports show that Matanka was fatally speared by a man identified as Kinyuka Kinyumi, 56, during a morning security check along Dennis Pritt Road.
The incident occurred around 8:15 am as officers from the General Service Unit were inspecting vehicles. Witnesses said Kinyumi approached the area disguised as a street dweller carrying a sack that hid his weapon.
He hid behind a flower bed before suddenly drawing a bow and shooting an arrow that struck Matanka in the chest. The officer was rushed to Kenyatta National Hospital but died while receiving treatment.
The suspect was quickly subdued and detained by police. Officers said he claimed to have been “sent by Satan” to carry out the killing, though investigations are ongoing to determine his true motive.
The tragedy has renewed discussions about the safety of police officers and the growing need for cooperation between the public and security forces. IPOA urged Kenyans to respect law enforcement officers as partners in maintaining peace, warning that continued violence will only deepen mistrust and weaken national security.
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