Inspector General Kanja Orders Interdiction for Police Officers Involved in Custodial Deaths KE

• Inspector General Douglas Kanja ordered the interdiction of police officers on duty during custodial deaths.
• The directive applies to officers responsible for recording the Occurrence Book (OB), cell sentry, and duty officer.
• Commanders who fail to contain criminal gangs in their areas of responsibility could face disciplinary action.

"Those officers must be interdicted immediately pending investigation of whatever happened," Inspector General Kanja said.

Inspector General Douglas Kanja has ordered the immediate interdiction of police officers on duty whenever a suspect dies in police custody. The directive applies to officers responsible for recording the Occurrence Book (OB), the cell sentry, and the duty officer in cases where a suspect dies while in police custody. This measure is aimed at strengthening accountability within the National Police Service and ensuring that officers responsible for detainees are held accountable. The directive follows the death of Gideon Makau at Kilungu Police Station in Makueni County, where he had been arrested and booked before dying in custody.

The Inspector General's directive is part of a broader effort to address concerns over police accountability and misconduct. The deaths of suspects in police custody have drawn heightened public attention, with recent incidents including the death of blogger Albert Ojwang at Nairobi Central Police Station in June 2025. The Kenyan government has been under pressure to reform the Kenya Police Service and implement measures to ensure accountability for police officers responsible for detainees. The directive is also linked to a warning by Deputy Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli, who cautioned commanders that they would be held accountable if crime levels rise in their areas of responsibility.

The Kanja directive marks a significant shift in the approach to police accountability and misconduct. By interdicting officers on duty during custodial deaths, the Inspector General is sending a clear message that those responsible for detainees will be held accountable. The measure also highlights the need for commanders to take responsibility for the conduct of officers under their supervision. As Kanja warned, commanders who fail to contain criminal gangs in their areas of responsibility could face disciplinary action, including demotion. This development has significant implications for lawyers and compliance officers, who should watch for increased scrutiny of police accountability and potential disciplinary action against commanders who fail to contain criminal gangs.

Lawyers and compliance officers should watch for increased scrutiny of police accountability and potential disciplinary action against commanders who fail to contain criminal gangs in their areas of responsibility.

Source: Original reporting via The East African