Accountability within the National Police Service has taken center stage following a directive by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, who ordered the immediate interdiction of key station personnel following a detainee’s death in Makueni.

Speaking on Wednesday, August 12, at the Sensitisation Forum on New Service Standing Orders and Police Reforms held at the National Police Leadership Academy in Ngong, Kanja directed that the Occurrence Book (OB) recorder, sentry officer, and duty officer at the affected station be suspended to allow for impartial investigations.

Emphasizing that officers are tasked with safeguarding the welfare of individuals in custody, Kanja noted that the rising frequency of deaths in police cells is deeply concerning.

The latest tragedy in Makueni has sparked public outcry, with the deceased’s family disputing official claims of suicide and demanding an independent inquiry into how a man under police watch lost his life.

VIP protection details

In addition to addressing custody management, Kanja turned his attention to the conduct of officers assigned to VIP protection.

Highlighting this unit as an area requiring urgent reform and closer oversight, he issued a strict warning that personnel must operate within the confines of the law at all times, regardless of the prominence of the individuals they guard.

The directive follows heightened public scrutiny over the behavior of security details attached to high-profile figures, exacerbated by recent incidents such as the fatal shooting of youth mobiliser Cecil Ouma in Nairobi by a police bodyguard.

Addressing concerns from opposition figures regarding potential political interference, Kanja drew a line between partisan instructions and professional police duty, reiterating that an officer’s primary obligation remains strictly to the law.

Institutional reforms

The police boss made it clear that the National Police Service will not shield rogue officers or tolerate excessive and unlawful conduct, warning that personnel who step outside legal boundaries will face personal responsibility and prosecution.

As the National Police Service rolls out new Service Standing Orders and deeper police reforms, these sweeping directives signal a decisive push toward heightened individual accountability, professional transparency, and the strict enforcement of the rule of law across all policing units.