IG Kanja outlines tough punishment for officers if suspects die in police custody
IG Kanja outlines tough punishment for officers if suspects die in police custody
Officers present at police stations where suspects lose their lives while in custody will be interdicted or dismissed from the police force, Inspector General Douglas Kanja has announced.
Speaking during the Sensitisation Forum on New Service Standing Orders and Police Reforms at the National Police Leadership Academy (NPLA), Kanja told police commanders that the rise in the number of deaths in police stations was unacceptable.
In the directive issued on Wednesday, August 12, he directed them to interdict all officers on duty at the station whenever a suspect dies while in custody.
“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.
“That is something that you as the commanders on the ground must ensure happens,” Kanja ordered.
Kanja further raised concerns over the increasing number of police officers engaged in criminal activities and called on the commanders to rein in officers who act outside the provisions of the law.
He warned that failure to adhere to his directives would lead to demotion and legal consequences.
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The IG further cautioned officers assigned to VIPs against operating outside the law and confirmed that he would be closely monitoring the unit.
On his part, Deputy IG Administration Police Gilbert Masengeli stated that the Commanders will also be held responsible for a surge in crime in their areas of jurisdiction.
“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 reiterated.
The sentiments by Kanja and DIG Masengeli came amid multiple incidences of suspects found dead in police cells.
Earlier, a family in Makueni demanded answers following Gideon Makau’s death at Kilungu Police Station. Gideon, who was arrested over an alleged possession of a machete, was found dead in his cell.
The officers at the station claimed that the deceased died by suicide after hanging himself using his trousers, a theory that the family has rejected.
Last week, Erick Otieno, a boda boda rider from Mathare, died shortly after being released from Muthaiga Police Station. His family claimed that he was assaulted while in custody.
An autopsy conducted on his body revealed that he died from massive internal bleeding caused by blunt force trauma and a ruptured spleen.
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