This archive report was first published on 24 August 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, police stations across the country are facing a crisis of overcrowding in their cells. The situation has been exacerbated by the requirement that all suspects obtain a COVID-19 certificate before being taken to remand, leading to a backlog of suspects being held in police stations.
According to sub-county police commanders and ward police commanders in various counties, the congestion in cells is accelerating the spread of COVID-19. In some cases, police stations are holding more than three times their capacity, with some cells designed for eight inmates now holding up to 20.
One suspect, Wairegi Ceki, who was arrested for selling chang'aa in April, was arraigned in Kigumo court and fined Sh10,000 or serve three months in jail. However, he failed to raise the cash and was taken to Murang'a prison, only to be returned to Maragua Police Station due to lack of space.
Some capital offenders who are yet to be admitted to GK prison remand because the 14-days' quarantine period has not lapsed are also being held at police stations. In response, some police commanders have been forced to free suspects on free bond to reduce crowding in the cells.
However, the release of suspects on free bond has had negative implications on crime management, as residents no longer fear arrest. In some areas, makeshift structures are being used as cells, and petty offenders are being forced to clear bushes around government offices as a strategy to control crowding in cells.
As the situation continues to worsen, police commanders are calling on the government to provide a solution to the overcrowding in cells.
