This archive report was first published on 6 June 2020.
On June 6, 2020, Justice James Makau ruled in favor of Anthony Waigwe, awarding him Sh5 million for illegal arrest and detention.
Waigwe was detained at Kamiti Maximum Prison for two years without trial following his arrest over robbery with violence allegations in 2015.
Justice Makau ruled that it was unconstitutional for police to arrest any person without informing them the reasons for the arrest, and that keeping a suspect in detention without trial is an abuse of the person's rights.
Waigwe was arrested on July 22, 2015, in Kayole estate, Nairobi, while heading to Donholm where he used to work as an attendant at Selfridges Supermarket.
He was not told the reason for his arrest and was detained in police cells for eight days before being taken to court with another suspect and charged with robbery with violence.
Justice Makau stated, “It is not right in a civilised society like ours to close our eyes, ears and mouths when police officers arrest and charge innocent Kenyan youths and have them taken through unnecessary criminal trial,”
Waigwe's case highlights the need for police accountability and the protection of human rights in Kenya.
