NAIROBI, Kenya — Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has ordered immediate disciplinary action against officers on duty at police stations where suspects die in custody, warning that commanders will be held accountable for failures to protect detainees.
Kanja directed that officers responsible for recording occurrences, guarding cells and supervising duty operations be interdicted whenever a suspect dies in police custody, pending investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death.
The Inspector General issued the directive on Wednesday, August 12, during a sensitisation forum on the new Service Standing Orders and police reforms at the National Police Leadership Academy (NPLA).
He said the growing number of deaths reported in police stations was unacceptable and called on commanders to ensure strict adherence to procedures governing the custody and welfare of suspects.
“Let me be very clear, for any death occurring in police cells, the occurrence book (OB) recorder, the cell sentry and the duty officer must be interdicted immediately pending investigations on whatever happened,” Kanja said.
“That is something that you as the commanders on the ground must ensure happens,” he added.
Commanders put on notice
Kanja also raised concerns over cases of police officers allegedly engaging in criminal activities and warned commanders against tolerating misconduct within their jurisdictions.
He said officers who operate outside the law would face disciplinary and legal consequences, including possible demotion.
The IG further singled out officers assigned to protect or work with VIPs, cautioning them against abusing their positions or operating outside established procedures.
He said the conduct of the VIP protection unit would be closely monitored and that officers would be held accountable for any unlawful actions.
Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police Gilbert Masengeli similarly warned senior officers that they would be held responsible for crime levels and misconduct within their areas of command.
“You as a commander will be held responsible. By this I mean all of you, including the Regional Police Commander, the Regional AP Commander and the Regional CID Commander,” Masengeli said.
Deaths in custody raise concern
The directives come amid renewed scrutiny over deaths involving people who have been detained at police stations.
In Makueni, the family of Gideon Makau has demanded answers over his death at Kilungu Police Station. Makau had been arrested over alleged possession of a machete and was later found dead in his cell.
Police officers at the station reportedly said he died by suicide after allegedly using his trousers to hang himself. His family has disputed that account and called for investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death.
Another case involves Erick Otieno, a boda boda rider from Mathare who died shortly after his release from Muthaiga Police Station.
Otieno’s family alleged that he had been assaulted while in police custody. An autopsy subsequently found that he died from massive internal bleeding caused by blunt-force trauma and a ruptured spleen.
The cases have intensified calls for greater accountability and transparency in the treatment of suspects held by police.
New standing orders to strengthen accountability
Kanja’s directive comes as the National Police Service implements reforms intended to strengthen professionalism, accountability and adherence to human-rights standards.
By directing that key officers be immediately interdicted after a custodial death, the IG said investigations should begin without delay while ensuring that responsibility for events inside police stations is clearly established.
