Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has directed that police officers who are on duty when a suspect dies in custody be immediately interdicted as investigations into the death get underway. The directive targets three officers specifically—the Occurrence Book (OB) recorder, the cell sentry and the officer in charge of the station’s duty roster at the time of the death.
Kanja said the measure is intended to strengthen accountability within the National Police Service and ensure officers responsible for suspects in custody can be held to account whenever a detainee dies. “The OB recorder, the cell sentry, and the duty officer. Those officers must be interdicted immediately pending investigation of whatever happened,” Kanja said.
The order follows the death of Gideon Makau at Kilungu Police Station in Makueni County. Makau had been arrested and booked at the station before he died while in custody. His family has questioned the circumstances surrounding his death and is seeking an explanation of what occurred between his arrest and the time he died.
Kanja issued the directive shortly after concerns over Makau’s death were raised, directing regional commanders to ensure that officers who were on duty during any custodial death are removed from active duty pending investigations. The Inspector General said the measure should not be limited to Makau’s case, but should apply whenever a suspect dies while under police custody.
He also placed commanders and line managers on notice, saying they must know and account for the officers serving under them. “Let every commander, every line manager, get to account for the officers at all times. You must account for the equipment that is held by your officers for the discharge of the duty,” Kanja said.
Makau’s death comes amid growing scrutiny of deaths in police custody and allegations of misconduct by officers. Another suspect, Eric Otieno, died about 24 hours after being booked at Muthaiga Police Station on August 1. Police authorities said he had allegedly been assaulted while in custody.
The latest cases have renewed questions about how suspects are supervised in police cells and the extent to which individual officers should be held responsible when a detainee dies. Public attention on custodial deaths intensified following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang at Nairobi Central Police Station in June 2025. His death prompted investigations and widespread scrutiny of police conduct and accountability.
Kanja also warned police commanders against shielding officers accused of criminal offences, insisting that those in leadership must take responsibility for the conduct of personnel under their command. The warning comes in the wake of the murder of Dr Victoria Mutisya on July 29, a case in which three police officers have been implicated.
Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the Administration Police Service, Gilbert Masengeli, echoed the warning, telling commanders that they would be among the first officials questioned if crime increases in their areas of responsibility. “Crime going up in your areas of responsibility. You as a commander, you’ll be the first one to be questioned. For us, this is a warning against careless command,” Masengeli said.
Kanja further ordered commanders to step up operations against criminal gangs in their jurisdictions. He warned that commanders who fail to deal with gangs could face disciplinary measures, including demotion, and directed them to submit regular reports detailing suspected gang members arrested in their respective areas.
“I need to be getting returns of all the goons who have been actually arrested in your respective areas. This is something that we must stop. It is the responsibility of the National Police Service,” he said. The directive comes as security agencies prepare for the 2027 General Election, with concerns over criminal gangs and their possible involvement in election-related violence.
Kanja issued the directives during a meeting with regional police commanders at the National Police Leadership Academy. The commanders were also briefed on the newly established Nairobi Metropolitan Police Unit. The new unit, which will be led by a commandant, is expected to bring together more than 2,500 officers drawn from the National Police Service and the Nairobi County Inspectorate to enhance security coordination within the capital.
The interdiction order now places greater responsibility on commanders to account for officers overseeing suspects in custody, particularly where a detainee dies. Investigations into Makau’s death will determine what happened at Kilungu Police Station and whether any officers should face criminal charges or administrative disciplinary action.
