IG Kanja Orders Immediate Interdiction of Officers After Deaths in Police Custody

IG Kanja Orders Immediate Interdiction of Officers After Deaths in Police Custody

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has directed that police officers in charge be immediately interdicted whenever a detainee dies while in police custody, pending investigations into the circumstances surrounding the death.

Kanja said the directive would apply to the Occurrence Book (OB) recording officer, cell sentry and duty officer serving at the station where a death occurs.

The Inspector General issued the directive on Wednesday, August 12, during a sensitisation forum on new Service Standing Orders and ongoing police reforms at the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong.

He told regional police commanders attending the meeting that they would be responsible for ensuring the directive is implemented across police stations under their command.

“And I want to make it very clear that in the case of any death occurring in police cells, the OB recorder, cell sentry, and duty officer must be interdicted immediately, pending investigation of whatever happened. That is something that you, as the commanders on the ground, must ensure happens.”

Kanja Orders Action at Police Stations

Kanja described deaths occurring inside police cells as a serious concern requiring immediate action by commanders.

He explained that interdiction would allow investigations to proceed without interference while authorities establish what happened before, during and after a detainee’s death.

The directive does not amount to a finding of wrongdoing against the officers involved.

Instead, the interdiction is intended to facilitate investigations and allow relevant agencies to determine whether negligence, misconduct or criminal activity may have contributed to a death.

Officers eventually found responsible could face additional disciplinary action, including demotion or prosecution, depending on the findings of investigations.

The directive comes amid renewed public concern over deaths in police custody and growing calls for greater accountability within the National Police Service.

Makueni Police Cell Death Raises Questions

Kanja’s announcement comes days after the death of Gedion Makau, who was found dead inside a cell at Kilungu Police Station in Makueni County.

Makau had been arrested on August 4 before his death in custody.

His family has disputed the police account that he died by suicide while detained and has called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has also joined the investigation.

The case has intensified scrutiny of procedures used when suspects are arrested, detained and held inside police facilities.

Ojwang Death Remains a Major Case

The latest directive also recalls the high-profile death of popular influencer Albert Ojwang while in police custody last year.

Following Ojwang’s death, Kanja ordered the interdiction of the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Nairobi’s Central Police Station and officers who were on duty at the time.

The circumstances surrounding Ojwang’s death later became the subject of a major criminal investigation and court proceedings.

During a murder trial in July, the Director of Public Prosecutions disclosed that evidence presented in court indicated Ojwang had been assaulted with a blunt object before being strangled while in custody.

The court was also told that CCTV footage linked to the incident had been deleted.

The case raised national concerns about police accountability and the protection of detainees while in custody.

New Rules Target Police Accountability

Kanja’s latest directive is part of wider efforts to strengthen police procedures and accountability under the new Service Standing Orders.

Regional commanders have been tasked with ensuring that officers understand and comply with the new requirements.

The Inspector General’s position places greater responsibility on commanders to respond immediately whenever a detainee dies in custody.

For families of people who die while detained, the directive could provide an additional layer of accountability as investigations are conducted.

However, the circumstances of each death will still have to be established through independent investigations before individual officers can be held legally or administratively responsible.

The National Police Service is now expected to implement the directive across the country as authorities seek to strengthen oversight and restore public confidence in the handling of detainees.

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IG Kanja Orders Immediate Interdiction of Officers After Deaths in Police Custody