By Jameson Mutua
Kenya is facing a disturbing rise in deaths occurring in police custody, a grim reflection of the country’s ongoing challenges in ensuring justice and accountability. According to the Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), at least 17 people died while in custody between 2024 and 2025, with cases reported across more than ten counties including Nairobi, Nakuru, Murang’a, Siaya, Mombasa, Kakamega, and Busia.
Beyond custodial deaths, IMLU’s forensic experts have also documented 59 deaths during protests through postmortem examinations, revealing patterns of injury and neglect that point to systemic abuse and impunity. The causes of death ranged from cardiorespiratory failure and blunt-force trauma to asphyxiation and hanging, with several cases suggesting physical assault or possible staging of suicide.
“These deaths are not just statistics — they are lives cut short and families left without answers,” said Grace Wangechi, IMLU’s Executive Director. “Each case is a stark reminder of the state’s constitutional obligation to uphold the right to life and freedom from torture under Articles 26 and 29 of the Constitution.”
To address these gaps, IMLU, with support from the International Rehabilitation Council for Torture Victims (IRCT), has launched a three-day forensic training for Kenyan pathologists and lawyers. The training, facilitated by renowned forensic experts Prof. Dr. Djordje Alempijevic of the University of Belgrade and Prof. James Lin, Istanbul Protocol Programme Coordinator at IRCT, aims to strengthen the country’s capacity in forensic documentation, investigation, and reporting of torture and deaths in custody.
“Forensic documentation is the cornerstone of accountability,” Wangechi added. “It transforms pain into proof and ensures that every death in custody is investigated using internationally recognized standards such as the Istanbul Protocol and Minnesota Protocol.”
Prof. Lin emphasized that building scientific capacity is vital for justice and transparency.
“The only way to ensure accountability and transparency is through science-based investigation,” he said. “By using international best practices in forensic work, we can guarantee that every death is properly examined and that families’ rights are upheld.”
Prof. Alempijevic echoed the need for scientific rigor in Kenya’s forensic investigations.
“Truth is necessary for reconciliation and justice,” he said. “However, the level of forensic documentation in Kenya remains below internationally accepted standards. That’s why we are here — to help elevate the quality of investigations and ensure justice is based on verifiable evidence, not speculation.”
The experts underscored that the operationalization of the National Coroner Service Act (2017) remains a critical gap. The Act provides for the establishment of an independent coroner’s office to investigate unclear or reportable deaths. However, its implementation has been delayed due to the lack of a designated Cabinet Secretary for Justice, leaving investigations under the control of police and state pathologists — a situation that undermines impartiality.
IMLU, in collaboration with the Police Reforms Working Group–Kenya (PRWG-K) and the Department of Justice, continues to push for the Act’s amendment and activation. A functioning coroner system, they note, would ensure independent and transparent investigations, timely communication with families, and accountability for perpetrators.
