Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Daily Nation
Published on 2024-02-17 03:00:00
The recent walk-out by murder suspect Mr. Kevin Adam Kinyanjui Kang’ethe from Muthaiga Police Station in Kenya has once again brought to light the serious issue of detainees walking out of police custody without breaking doors or gates, raising concerns about police laxity and corruption. Mr. Kang’ethe, who is wanted in the United States of America (USA) for the murder of his girlfriend, managed to stroll out of the police station where he was being detained, underlining the gaps in security and raising questions about the integrity of the police force.
After escaping from the United States where he was suspected of murdering his girlfriend and fleeing to Kenya, Mr. Kang’ethe was re-arrested and is now awaiting extradition hearings. His escape from the Muthaiga Police Station came just six minutes after he was allowed out of his cell by officers to discuss legal issues with his lawyer. Subsequent investigations identified the lawyer as Mr. John Maina Ndegwa. This incident has highlighted concerns about the involvement of police officers in facilitating such escapes through corruption and negligence.
The issue of detainees escaping from police custody is not an isolated case. In fact, it has become a common occurrence in Kenya in recent years, leading to a breakdown in trust in the ability of the police to ensure the safety and security of detainees. This is clearly demonstrated by the escape of eight remandees from Koru Police Station and six juveniles from Malindi Police Station, among many others.
Furthermore, the escape of high-profile suspects such as Mr. Kang’ethe raises questions about the conduct of the police officers responsible for their custody. Security experts have cited laxity and corruption as key factors contributing to such escapes. They argue that the casual treatment of high-profile detainees and failure to adhere to standard security procedures, such as the use of handcuffs, are clear indications of negligence and possible corruption within the police force.
In light of the recent incidents, security experts have called for an overhaul of police custody procedures and a thorough investigation of the officers responsible for the custody of escapees. They emphasize the need for accountability and transparency within the police force to restore public confidence and ensure that such incidents are not repeated.
It is clear that action needs to be taken to address the systemic issues that have allowed these escapes to occur. The lack of response from police officials only serves to highlight the need for a comprehensive review of police procedures and a commitment to holding officers accountable for their actions.
In conclusion, the escape of Mr. Kevin Adam Kinyanjui Kang’ethe and other detainees from police custody has exposed serious flaws within the Kenyan police force. It is imperative that the authorities take decisive action to address these issues and restore confidence in the justice system. Only by implementing meaningful reforms and holding accountable those responsible for such lapses in security can the public be assured that detainees will not continue to walk out of police custody with impunity.
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