Editor's Review

The protesters managed to throw the coffins over the gate at IG Kanja's office.

On Monday, August 17, six protesters were arrested after staging demonstrations outside Police Inspector General (IG)Douglas Kanja's office at Jogoo House 'B'.

The six carried placards and three coffins to the IG's office and protested against the spate of murders of Kenyans who have been arrested and placed in police custody.

Consequently, they demanded IG Kanja's immediate resignation and demanded justice for the victims.

"Why kill them? Why Kill Kenyans? Protect us! Our lives matter. IG Kanja must reign!" the message on the placards and coffins read.

They also voiced their concerns about the prevalence of goons and armed goons in the country, and the abduction of Kenyans by police officers.

Read More

  1. IG Kanja Spells Tough Punishment for Officers If Suspects Die in Police Custody
  2. NPS Breaks Silence on Death of Man Released from Police Custody
  3. DCI Takes Action Over Alleged Abduction of Businessman Jimmy Mutava

A photo of uniformed and plainclothes officers arresting protesters outside IG Kanja's office.

However, the activists were arrested by uniformed and plainclothes officers shortly after they managed to toss the coffins over the Jogoo House Gate. 

"Stop killing us! We shall overcome," the protesters chanted as they were whisked into an awaiting police Land Cruiser.

They were ferried to the Central Police Station, where they will be booked and processed before they are taken to court. Among those arrested were Activist Julius Kamau and Jomo Kenyatta lookalike Michael Ngigi.

The protests came amid a spike in incidents where suspects have died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody. In the last month, two suspects were confirmed dead.

Last week, Gideon Makau lost his life 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.

Earlier, 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.

Meanwhile, IG Kanja announced that Officers present at police stations where suspects lose their lives while in custody will be interdicted or dismissed from the police force.