Rights Activist Condemns Alleged Unlawful Detention of Three at Central Police Station

By Elijah Odanga 

Concerns have been raised over the alleged unlawful arrest and continued detention of three individuals at Nairobi’s Central Police Station, with calls for their immediate release and accountability from the National Police Service.

In a press statement issued on Saturday, social, economics and governance activist Francis Awino strongly condemned the arrest and detention of Joshua Nyanjom, Maureen Arumba and Daniel Odhiambo, who were apprehended by police officers attached to Central Police Station on January 8, 2026.

According to the statement, the three have remained in police custody for several days without being presented before a court of law or released on police bail, a situation described as a blatant violation of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010. The statement notes that as of January 19, 2026, the detainees had exceeded the constitutionally permitted 24 hour period within which an arrested person must be arraigned in court or released, as provided under Article 49(1)(f).

Awino stated that the continued detention without arraignment, charge or lawful justification further violates multiple constitutional provisions, including Articles 25(c), 28, 29 and 47, which safeguard non-derogable rights such as the right to a fair trial, human dignity, freedom and security of the person, and fair administrative action.

“The National Police Service has no constitutional mandate to detain citizens indefinitely under the pretext of investigations,” the statement reads. It adds that where investigations are ongoing, the law requires suspects to be charged within the prescribed time or released unconditionally or on police bail.

The activist demanded the immediate and unconditional release of the three individuals or their release on police bail, full accountability from officers responsible for the alleged unlawful arrest and detention, and urgent intervention by the Inspector General of Police and the Internal Affairs Unit to halt what he termed an ongoing constitutional violation.

The statement further warned that should the alleged illegal detention persist, constitutional proceedings would be instituted against all responsible parties, including applications for habeas corpus and enforcement of fundamental rights.

Awino also expressed concern that the incident is occurring at Central Police Station only months after the death of Owang at the same facility, raising broader questions about accountability and respect for the rule of law.

“Kenya is governed by the rule of law, not police fiat,” the statement concluded, adding that arbitrary arrests and illegal detention have no place in a constitutional democracy.

The National Police Service had not issued a response to the allegations by the time of publication.


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