Just as the nation grapples with the shocking revelations surrounding the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, and the tragic loss of a six-month-old pregnancy in police detention, Kenya is once again confronted with a chillingly familiar headline: another life has been lost in police custody. This time, the incident occurred at Katito Police Station in Kisumu County, casting a dark shadow over the very institutions sworn to protect citizens.
On Friday, June 13, 2025, a man who had been arrested over allegations of stock theft was found dead in solitary confinement at the Katito Police Station. According to a report filed at the station on Friday night, the deceased, who had been brought in earlier that morning by the area chief of Agoro West Location, was discovered hanging from the cell door grill using a vest. Police Constables Juliana Koka and Andrew Okong’o, who were manning the report office and the cell respectively, stated they were alerted by Sergeant Nixon Lukwa, who heard commotion from the cells. The officers rushed to the scene, discovered the lifeless body suspended from the cell grill with the vest tied tightly around his neck.
Efforts to rescue him by cutting the vest were made, but tragically, he had already succumbed to injuries. Alarmingly, this incident reportedly occurred less than two hours after his arrest. Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Nyakach, the Sub-County Police Commander for Muhoroni, and Crime Scene Investigators from Kisumu have since visited the scene, which has been preserved as investigations continue. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is expected to take over the matter.
This latest tragedy is not an isolated incident; it’s a stark continuation of a deeply disturbing pattern that has gripped Kenya. Barely a week before, the nation erupted in protests following the suspicious death of Albert Ojwang at the Central Police Station in Nairobi. His death, initially downplayed by police, has since been exposed by a government pathologist's report pointing to assault, and crucially, by exclusive CCTV footage confirming he was already deceased upon arrival at Mbagathi Hospital. Just three days prior, an arrested pregnant woman tragically lost her six-month-old pregnancy while detained at the Rwanyambo Police Post in Nyandarua County.
These incidents are not anomalies; they are increasingly frequent footnotes in an unfolding national crisis. Recently, IPOA, the very body mandated to oversee police conduct, revealed a chilling statistic: over 20 people have died in police custody in Kenya in just the past four months. And as recent events painfully illustrate, that number tragically keeps increasing day and night.
The question echoes across homes, social media platforms, and public squares: Until when? How many more lives must be extinguished, how many more families shattered, before decisive action is taken? We have lost far too many young people, vibrant lives full of potential, to circumstances shrouded in mystery and often contradicted by subsequent evidence, while under the supposed "protection" of the state.
The very essence of a democratic society rests on the principle that its citizens are safe, especially when in the hands of law enforcement. The police, mandated to protect and serve, are increasingly perceived by a significant segment of the population not as guardians, but as a source of arbitrary violence and injustice. This erosion of trust is perilous for the rule of law and the stability of the nation.
What is the government doing to protect its own people? While condemnations are issued and investigations are promised, the recurring nature of these deaths demands a more systemic, urgent, and visible response. Beyond individual arrests and inquiries, there is a dire need for:
- Enhanced transparency: Real-time access to accurate information regarding arrests and detention conditions.
- Accountability: Swift and decisive action against officers found culpable, with transparent legal proceedings.
- Improved detention protocols: Implementing and strictly enforcing international best practices for the humane treatment of detainees, including regular welfare checks, access to medical care, and proper mental health screening.
- Comprehensive oversight: Strengthening IPOA's capacity and ensuring its recommendations are implemented without delay.
- A culture shift: Instilling respect for human rights and the sanctity of life within the police service itself through rigorous training and continuous monitoring.
The tragic death at Katito Police Station is not just another statistic; it is a profound call to action. Kenyans deserve to feel safe, not just from criminals, but crucially, from those empowered to enforce the law. The time for mere lamentation is over. It is time for robust, tangible reforms that ensure no more lives are lost mysteriously within the walls of police custody. The question of safety in police hands remains disturbingly unanswered.
