NAIROBI, Kenya- A senior police officer arrested over the alleged unlawful release of 64 suspects linked to fuel protests in Nairobi has been hospitalised under tight security after developing health complications.
Chief Inspector Dishen Angoya, the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Central Police Station, was rushed to a hospital in Lang’ata shortly after his arrest on Tuesday, with sources indicating he complained of high blood pressure while in custody.
The officer is currently under police guard at the hospital, with four officers reportedly deployed to secure him as investigations continue.
According to an internal police report, Angoya was arrested by the Deputy Regional Police Commander over allegations of abuse of office after allegedly releasing 64 suspects who had been arrested during violent fuel protests and public disorder incidents in Nairobi.
Police claim the suspects were released “without lawful authority” on Monday at the height of demonstrations linked to soaring fuel prices and the nationwide matatu strike.
The protests triggered mass arrests across Nairobi and neighbouring areas as anti-riot police cracked down on demonstrators accused of blocking roads, vandalising property and causing chaos.
However, sources familiar with the incident claim some of the individuals released from custody were innocent passengers who had allegedly been caught up during police swoops conducted amid the unrest.
The case is being handled by investigators from the Police Unit Internal Affairs and the Serious Crimes Investigations Office Nairobi North.
The arrest and hospitalisation of the senior officer comes as scrutiny intensifies over police conduct during the protests, which left several people dead, dozens injured and hundreds arrested across the country.
