The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has made plans to visit the Central Police Station in Nairobi even as the Authority kicks off investigation over the arrest of journalist Francis Ode.

In a statement released on Wednesday, October 22, IPOA sais that the visit will take a deep look into the police records and get accounts from the police who were on site and tasked to manage public order in busy streets during the October 20 demonstrations against rising fuel prices.

“These inquiries will seek to establish the circumstances of the arrest and detention and determine whether these actions of the officers involved complied with the law and established policing procedures,” IPOA explained.

The Authority mentioned that it had began its investigations on October 20, 2026 and had already contacted the journalist so that he can give an account of what transpired.

IPOA highlighted the importance of police officers upholding the Constitution even as the discharge their mandate, with specific clauses requiring the National Police Service (NPS) to strive for the highest standards of professionalism and discipline, promote and practise transparency and accountability, and comply with constitutional standards of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Equally important, IPOA reiterates that Articles 33, 34 and 35 of the Constitution protect the freedom of expression, media freedom and access to information, respectively.