OCS interdicted as probe launched into incident where woman miscarried in police custody

The Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at the Rwanyambo Police Post in Nyandarua has been interdicted following a miscarriage by a woman who had been placed in their cells.

National Police Service (NPS) spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the OCS was interdicted to pave the way for independent investigations by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).

“To ensure a swift, impartial, and transparent investigation, the officer in charge of Rwanyambo Police Post has been interdicted with immediate effect,” Muchiri said.

He added that investigations are also being conducted by the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU), which will be working closely with IPOA to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the case.

Acknowledging the incident as unfortunate, Nyaga stated the steadfast commitment by NPS to serving and protecting the public while strictly upholding the rule of law, human rights, and fundamental freedoms.

This comes after Nyandarua Senator John Methu yesterday wrote to IPOA requesting investigations into the matter.

The family of Milka Wangari has been demanding justice for their Kin who miscarried while inside the police cell of the Police Post where she had been placed after allegations by her employer that her money had been stolen.

Details indicate that the victim, who was seven months pregnant, was placed in the custody of the local police post after her employer filed a complaint saying Sh18,000 from a day’s sales was missing.

Speaking to local media, the sister of the victim, only identified as Wangui, stated that she had pleaded with the police to release her as they sought to raise the money, but their pleas fell on deaf ears.

“I pleaded with the police to release my sister as we tried to raise the money on Wednesday, but they declined. I pleaded with them, informing them that my sister had other children waiting at home and we had a sick mother to take care of, but they refused,” She stated.

She shared that it was later discovered that only Sh9000 was missing, and the family managed to raise Sh6,000, though they did not secure her release.

The family revealed that at around 1 am, the victim called her sister to inform her that she needed assistance since she was bleeding heavily.

However, upon arrival, officers reportedly chased the sister away, denying her access.

Witnesses and family members claim that the woman began experiencing complications but was left unattended for hours, leading to the tragic loss of her pregnancy.

“I came back to the station early in the morning, but I was still denied access to her. But I was still denied access to her, but learned that she had suffered a miscarriage during the night and had remained in the police cell,” the sister narrated.

Angry residents of Kinangop who stormed the local police post said they heard the screams of the victims, who they stated complained of severe abdominal pain and pleaded for medical attention, which was allegedly ignored by the officers.

The residents called on the Nyandarua Woman Representative, Faith Gitau, to intervene.

The residents said that reshuffles need to be done at the Police Post and have female officers who will understand what women go through.

They also demanded that female cells need to be constructed.

“The matter is very painful, and we want this to get to our Woman Representative. We need female cells created even as we demand female cops to be brought here as they understand what women go through,” the protesters demanded.

“We need a cell where mothers can even be with their kids when they are arrested,” they added.