Human rights organisations have raised alarms after documenting 20 deaths in police custody in Kenya from January to August 2026, matching the total recorded in the entire previous year. The Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) and VOCAL Africa released reports highlighting the increasing fatalities and demanding urgent reforms.
Details of Deaths in Custody
- Victims ranged in age from 25 to 64 years, including an infant who died at Mamba Police Post while detained with the mother.
- Post-mortem examinations revealed causes of death included hanging (8 cases), fatal beatings causing head injuries (5 cases), and untreated medical conditions (5 cases).
- VOCAL Africa also reported 22 deaths in custody and over 70 police shootings this year, including 20 fatalities linked to protests over fuel prices.
Calls for Accountability and Reform
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has ordered strict accountability for police station commanders when deaths occur in custody. He emphasized immediate interdiction of involved officers and thorough investigations to ensure responsibility is upheld throughout the command chain.
Grace Wangeci, IMLU Executive Director, welcomed the directive but stressed that enforcement must follow words. Both IMLU and VOCAL Africa are pushing for:
- Installation of CCTV cameras in all police cells.
- Independent investigations into every death.
- Prosecution of officers implicated in custodial deaths.
- Implementation of the Inquests Act to strengthen command accountability.
IMLU has supported 18 post-mortem examinations and provided psychosocial aid to 13 affected families. Meanwhile, VOCAL Africa urges the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to expedite transparent investigations.
These reports highlight the urgent need to address human rights concerns within Kenya’s policing system and ensure the protection of detainees’ lives.
