Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja is facing renewed scrutiny after the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) revealed that 40 people died in places of detention between 2025 and August 2026.
In a statement issued on Friday, August 14, 2026, IMLU said it documented 20 deaths in places of detention in 2025 and another 20 deaths in police custody so far this year.
The organisation welcomed Kanja’s recent directive requiring the immediate interdiction of officers on duty whenever a suspect dies while in police custody.
IMLU said the order, which covers the Occurrence Book handler, cell sentry, and duty officer, was “a necessary and firm step toward curtailing custodial impunity, restoring public trust, and upholding the fundamental constitutional rights to life, human dignity, and protection from cruel or degrading treatment while in state custody.”
What happened to the 20 victims
IMLU said the 20 deaths documented in 2026 involved 19 adults, comprising 18 men and one woman aged between 25 and 64, as well as an infant boy who was accompanying his mother in custody.
The organisation said it supported forensic autopsies and detailed medico-legal documentation in 18 of the cases.
According to the statement, the forensic findings established three main causes of death.
“8 died from suffocation caused by hanging or neck compression,” IMLU said.
“5 succumbed to severe physical violence and blunt force trauma, including critical head injuries,” the organisation added.
Another five victims died from underlying medical conditions, including severe high blood pressure, diabetes, ulcers and internal infections.
IMLU said the conditions “deteriorated fatally due to neglect, poor detention conditions, and a lack of timely medical care.”
The organisation also said it provided family therapy to relatives of 13 victims to help them deal with grief, post traumatic stress disorder and acute anxiety.
IMLU demands tougher action
IMLU said the figures and forensic findings point to “a systemic crisis that demands urgent and decisive action.”
The organisation called for “prompt, independent, and exhaustive investigations” into all deaths and torture cases in places of detention.
It also urged that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority be given “unhindered access, full cooperation, and adequate resources” to establish the truth and facilitate prosecutions.
IMLU further called for the operationalisation of the National Coroners Service Act, saying an independent coroner would help guarantee impartial forensic autopsies, cause of death inquiries and inquests.
On accountability, the organisation called for both individual and command responsibility.
“Individual officers directly involved in violence or negligence must face criminal prosecution,” IMLU said, adding that station commanders and regional supervisors should also be held legally and disciplinarily accountable where they fail to prevent, deter or report misconduct.
IMLU said it would continue monitoring the implementation of Kanja’s directive while pushing for police reforms and support for victims and survivors of police misconduct.
