IPOA Chairperson Issack Hassan Resigns

Issack Hassan has resigned as Chairperson of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), bringing to a close his tenure at the civilian police watchdog following his appointment to the Court of Appeal.

Hassan, who has been serving at the helm of IPOA since 2024, was among 15 judges sworn in three weeks ago as judges of the Court of Appeal.

The swearing-in ceremony was presided over by William Ruto at State House after their appointments were formalised.

His elevation to the appellate bench effectively necessitated his departure from the oversight authority, triggering a transition process within the board.

Transition at IPOA

In a communication, IPOA announced the change in leadership as follows: “Following this development, the vice chairperson Anne Mwangi will henceforth preside over the Board of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority as the process of filling the position of chairperson commences, pursuant to Section 11 of Cap 86 of the Laws of Kenya and paragraph 4 of the Second Schedule to the Act.”

The authority made it clear that the transition will take place within the boundaries of the law.

IPOA was formed through the Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act to ensure civilian oversight of the activities of the National Police Service of Kenya, which is core to ensuring that the police are accountable to the people of Kenya.

Hassan had previously worked as the chairperson of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) before joining IPOA.

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Appointment to the Court of Appeal

The judges were appointed on January 27 following interviews conducted by the Judicial Service Commission (JSC).

Their appointments were published under Gazette Notice No 1000 and anchored in Article 166 (1) (b) of the Constitution, which grants the President authority to appoint judges of superior courts.

The newly sworn-in appellate judges include Hedwig Imbosa Ong’udi, Mathews Nduma Nderi, Linnet Mumo Ndolo, Enock Chacha Mwita, Lucy Mwihaki Njuguna, Samson Odhiambo Okongo, Rachel Chepkoech Ngetich, Katwa Kigen, Paul Lilan, Munyao Sila, Johnson Okoth Okello and Byram Ongaya, among others.

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The appointments increase the number of judges in the Court of Appeal, Kenya’s second-highest court, from 27 to 42.

The expansion is expected to strengthen judicial capacity and accelerate the resolution of appeals, an area long strained by heavy caseloads and case backlogs.

According to Chief Justice Martha Koome, the recruitment process was “rigorous, transparent and competitive,” and the new judges would help reduce the burden on the appellate justice system and improve access to justice.

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Photo of Chief Justice Martha Koome. PHOTO/Koome