The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has announced that it has gathered 80% of the necessary evidence in the case against the police officer accused of shooting journalist Catherine Wanjeri.
Wanjeri was shot while covering the Gen Z protests in Nakuru, an incident that has drawn significant attention and condemnation from both the public and the media fraternity.
In a statement, IPOA Assistant Director Josephat Kaimenyi assured Kenyans and members of the press that the authority is diligently investigating the incident.
“We want to assure Kenyans and members of the press that we’re on top of issues regarding the investigation of the harm that Wanjeri underwent,” Kaimenyi said.
He emphasized the importance of witness testimonies in building a strong case and called on those with relevant information to come forward.
The plea for witnesses comes as IPOA works to ensure that justice is served for Wanjeri, who was performing her journalistic duties when she was injured. The case has highlighted concerns about the safety of journalists covering protests and other high-risk events in Kenya.
Wanjeri, speaking about her ordeal, expressed her hope for a swift and thorough investigation. “It is my prayer that they fast-track my investigations so that I can get my justice because this is not what I anticipated to be a day like today. It would heal me in a big manner if justice was served to me,” she said.
The incident occurred during the Gen Z protests, which saw significant youth participation and were marked by clashes between demonstrators and police. Wanjeri was reportedly covering the protests when the police officer allegedly shot her, causing injuries that have since become a focal point for calls for police accountability.
