Families of people who died while in police custody are facing renewed uncertainty after rights organisations recorded at least 20 deaths in the first eight months of 2026, a figure that has already equalled the total cases documented throughout the whole of last year.
The Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU) says the deaths involved people aged between 25 and 64, as well as an infant who was being held alongside the mother. The child died at Mamba Police Post, which falls under Matuu Police Station.
The latest figures have emerged shortly after Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja directed police commanders to take responsibility whenever a person dies in custody.
IMLU Executive Director Grace Wangeci said the organisation's records show that the situation has worsened compared with 2025.
“Last year IMLU documented 20 cases of death in detention and that was for the whole year, January to December 2025. Now, from January to August 2026, we have reported 20 cases. That shows you that there's a serious concern and there's an increase because we still have several months to go before the end of the year,” said IMLU Executive Director Grace Wangeci.
The organisation's post-mortem findings also point to different circumstances surrounding the deaths. Eight people were found to have died by hanging, while five others suffered fatal head injuries after being beaten.
Another five died from medical conditions that IMLU says were not properly managed while they were in custody.
“Five died from underlying medical conditions, meaning that had somebody taken or had the duty of care, they should have access to medical attention and treatment,” said Wangeci.
VOCAL Africa has reported an even higher number, saying 22 people have died in police custody this year. The organisation has also documented more than 70 people who were shot by police, including 20 people killed during protests over fuel prices.
The figures have left families seeking answers over the circumstances surrounding the deaths of their relatives, with rights organisations saying those responsible must be held to account.
Kanja has already directed that officers involved in handling detainees face consequences when a suspect dies in custody. His directive targets officers responsible for recording information, guarding cells and overseeing operations at police stations.
“The OB recorder, the cell sentry, and the duty officers, those officers must be interdicted immediately. Investigations of whatever happened—let every commander, every line, get to account for the officers at all times. You must account for the equipment that is held by your officers for the discharge of their duty,” said Kanja.
The rights groups have welcomed the directive but say it must be followed by concrete steps to prevent similar deaths.
VOCAL Africa wants CCTV cameras installed in every police station cell to provide a record of what happens to people held in custody. It is also calling for independent investigations whenever a detainee dies and prosecution of officers found to have been involved in killings.
IMLU is pushing for the Inquests Act to be put into practice and wants station commanders to face direct responsibility for deaths occurring under their command.
“In fact, we have been pushing and calling for accountability, and especially for command accountability. And I am excited that the Inspector General has actually emphasized that commanders themselves, or the people responsible, the command responsibility chain, will be taken into account,” added Wangeci.
IMLU says it has so far supported 18 post-mortem examinations and provided psychosocial support to 13 families affected by the deaths.
VOCAL Africa has also called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to strengthen its response and ensure cases involving deaths in custody are investigated quickly and openly.
The organisations say the growing number of deaths requires more than new directives, with families expecting investigations that establish what happened and identify those responsible.