Nairobi – A woman held in police custody in central Kenya has suffered a miscarriage, triggering fresh outrage over police conduct just days after the death of a man in custody sent shockwaves across the country.
The incident took place at Rwanyambo Police Post in Nyandarua County. Police confirmed the miscarriage on Thursday evening, describing it as “unfortunate.” The officer in charge has since been suspended pending a full investigation.
Authorities say the Internal Affairs Unit is working alongside the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to determine what happened. Both bodies have promised a “swift, impartial and transparent” probe.
But for many, trust in the process is wearing thin.
“This isn’t just about one station,” said Hussein Khalid, executive director of the rights group VOCAL Africa. “It’s a system that allows abuse to thrive without consequences.”
Ojwang’s Death Sparks National Protests
The latest scandal comes as pressure continues to mount over the death of 32-year-old Albert Ojwang, a teacher and online content creator who died in a police cell at Nairobi’s Central Police Station last week.
Police initially claimed Ojwang had taken his own life. But a post-mortem found he died from blunt force trauma, neck compression, and multiple injuries to his body clear signs, experts say, of violence.
IPOA has confirmed that CCTV footage at the station was tampered with and that all officers on duty that night are now under investigation for murder. One of them, Officer Commanding Station Benjamin Talam, has been named a prime suspect.
The fallout has been swift and fierce. On Thursday, hundreds marched through Nairobi’s city centre dressed in black and carrying placards that read “Justice for Albert” and “Stop Killing Us.”
The demonstrations turned chaotic as riot police fired teargas and protesters set vehicles alight on Kimathi Street and Moi Avenue. Public transport ground to a halt and hashtags like #JusticeForAlbertOjwang trended online nationwide.
“This miscarriage is not just a tragedy. It’s a mirror to a broken system,” said Faith Odhiambo, president of the Law Society of Kenya. “The contradictions in Ojwang’s case were disturbing. Now, with this woman in Nyandarua, the pattern is undeniable.”
Rising Demands for Reform and Accountability
Both Khalid and Odhiambo have called for the immediate removal of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat from any involvement in the Ojwang investigation, citing concerns over interference. Lagat had signed off on the initial police report.
Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and IPOA to deliver independent, credible findings in both the Nyandarua and Nairobi cases.
Speaking on Wednesday, DCI Director Mohamed Amin said, “We are treating this investigation with the seriousness it deserves. Anyone found responsible will face the full force of the law.”
But many Kenyans remain sceptical. Cases of police misconduct, including torture and deaths in custody, have long been reported, often with little consequence. Rights watchdogs say more than 80 such deaths occurred in 2024 alone, with only a handful ever prosecuted.
The National Police Service has said it is committed to reforms, but critics say internal investigations often serve to protect officers rather than deliver justice.
For now, the nation watches, with growing anger and weary eyes.
“This is not about politics,” said Khalid. “It’s about human life. And the state has a duty to protect it, not destroy it.”
About the Author
