Inspector General Douglas Kanja receives a commemorative plaque from IPOA Chairperson Dr. Duncan Ojwang /HANDOUT

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) chairperson Dr Duncan Ojwang have called for closer cooperation between the police service and its civilian oversight body, with plans to extend engagement from national headquarters to individual police stations.

The two leaders made the call on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, when Ojwang paid Kanja a courtesy visit at the National Police Service (NPS) headquarters at Jogoo House A in Nairobi.

According to a statement by the NPS, Kanja urged the two institutions to expand their engagement across the police command structure to strengthen accountability at the grassroots level.

“The Inspector General called for an expansion of these engagements, urging that collaboration transcend the national headquarters and extend down the command chain to the police station level,” the NPS stated.

Kanja thanked IPOA for its continued partnership with the police service, saying the collaboration was important in strengthening accountability and ensuring officers operate within the law.

“The single law protecting one is to operate within the law,” Kanja said, according to the NPS statement.

The Inspector General described IPOA as a strategic partner in holding officers accountable for conduct that falls outside the law and commended its role in raising public awareness.

The two institutions also discussed shifting from responding to misconduct after it occurs towards preventing it through joint public-police engagement forums and community policing initiatives.

“The two leaders committed to joint public–police engagement forums to build public trust and emphasised Community Policing as a critical model of crime prevention,” the Service stated.

IPOA was established under the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act of 2011 to provide civilian oversight of police work and promote accountability and professionalism within the National Police Service.

Its statutory functions include investigating complaints against police officers, monitoring policing operations affecting the public and inspecting police premises, including detention facilities.

The authority can recommend prosecution, disciplinary action or other appropriate remedies following investigations, although the relevant authorities are responsible for acting on those recommendations in accordance with the law.

The meeting also considered a framework to recognise officers who demonstrate integrity, respect human rights and provide exemplary service.

“In a bid to boost morale and promote excellence, the IG and the IPOA Chair deliberated on establishing a robust framework to identify, celebrate, and reward professional police officers who consistently demonstrate integrity, uphold human rights, and go beyond the call of duty in serving the nation,” the NPS stated.

The leaders further discussed strengthening training and capacity building to support professionalism and improve cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

Ojwang thanked Kanja for receiving his delegation and called for continued engagement between the two institutions.

“Dr Ojwang also commended IG Kanja for his leadership and for always keeping the NPS doors of cooperation open to IPOA,” the Service stated.

The NPS said Ojwang had affirmed the growing trust between the institutions and advocated sustained engagement to support a professional and accountable police service.

The meeting brought together senior officers from both institutions, including Principal Assistant to the Inspector General Mathew Kutoh and NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga.

Ojwang was accompanied by IPOA vice chairperson Ann Wanjiku Mwangi, Secretariat Chief Executive Officer Elema Halake and other commissioners.