This archive report was first published on 29 August 2019.
On August 29, 2019, a curious citizen took to social media to question the choice of police stations that politicians, prominent and influential persons get detained in whenever they are arraigned.
Alhaj Adan Wachu asked if there exists an unwritten rule on where to detain 'special suspects.'
His tweet sparked a debate on whether the authorities give preferential treatment or it is the state of these police stations in upmarket areas that draw the influential suspects.
State House digital strategist Dennis Itumbi, who was arraigned over a fake letter alleging a plot to kill Deputy President William Ruto, made an unusual request to be detained at Muthaiga, Gigiri, or Kileleshwa police stations 'for his own safety.'
Itumbi claimed his life would be in jeopardy should he be sent to the Kamukunji police cells and accused detectives of turning a blind eye to a video recording he said would prove the assassination plot.
However, a week before Itumbi's detention, a Milimani court had ordered the police to detain Starehe MP Charles Njagua at Kileleshwa Police Station for a day before it could issue its directions on whether to release the legislator on bond.
Ordinary Kenyans have questioned whether the authorities give preferential treatment or it is the state of these police stations in upmarket areas that draw the influential suspects.
After visiting various police cells within Nairobi County, Nation has established that a good number of stations in upscale areas are well maintained.
At Muthaiga Police Station, the cells have in-built toilets as opposed to the bucket-toilet common in other police jails.
Its proximity to the affluent neighbourhoods of Runda and Muthaiga, where a good number of prominent Kenyans live, has also made it a preferred station.
