Today's Headlines
- Lessons and Implications of the Confirmation of Charges Against Kenya's 'Ocampo Four'
- Finance Minister Quits Over ICC Charges
- Shortage of HIV Test Kits Raises Concerns
- Living On the Edge in Turkana Region
- Ali Breaks Silence, Describes Delight At Acquittal
- Uhuru, Ruto Eligible for Presidency - CIC
- Tea Sector Posts Record Earnings in 2011
- Resettle IDPs, Urges Annan
- Uhuru, Muthaura Have Done the Right Thing
- All Displaced People Should Return Home
- Concern Raised As Parents Shun Schools in Poll Violence Hotspots
- Ruling On IEBC Hiring in February
- Country Working Towards Conditions Needed for Direct Flights to U.S.
- How ICC Claimed Kibaki's Lieutenants
- Geothermal Project to Receive Sh10 Billion Funding Boost
- Five Million to Get IDs Before Elections
- Speed Up Building Port
- Uhuru and Muthaura Did Well to Quit Posts
- A Full Plate Awaits Githae
- Clashes Continue in Moyale
- Baraza Case to Be Heard Monday
- Two Firms in Joint Venture to Drill for Oil Near Lodwar
- Exit Uhuru, Muthaura
- ICC Charges Hound Uhuru Out of Treasury
- Consumers Grow Despite Inflation
- Poor Relations Between Banks Blamed for Cash Shortages
- Fish Prices Up As Vegetable Supply Dwindles
- Consumers to Pay More for Milk and Bread As Prices Rise
- Kibaki Tasks Ex-Dar CJ to Lead Probe in Kenya
- Mombasa Port Cargo Congestion Forces Three-Month Fees Waiver
Elisha Otieno, Benson Amadala, Geoffrey Rono and Stella Cherono
29 August 2010
Nairobi — Police have started implementing the rule requiring them not to detain suspects for more than 24 hours.
Most suspects arrested on Friday over petty offences parts of the country were released on free bond at the weekend.
At the Migori police station, Nyanza Province, suspects arrested on Friday, which was a holiday, were given free bonds to appear in court this week.
The district police boss, Mr Erick Mugambi, said they had received memos from the headquarters directing them to enforce the Bill of Rights which outlaws confinement of a suspect for more than 24 hours.
"My cell is empty and we are already conforming to the new constitution," he said.
In Western Province, suspects arrested for petty offences were released on free bond. However, there was confusion over those held on serious offences like assault, violent robbery and murder.
The provincial police chief, Mr King'ori Mwangi, said he had issued specific instructions to all divisional police commanders to ensure the rights of suspects in custody were not violated.
"Make sure the Bill of Rights regarding arrested persons is quickly observed and respected. You (divisional commanders) and your officers commanding stations will be held accountable for any abuses," Mr Mwangi wrote to the officers.
He said measures had been taken to ensure police were working in tandem with the new laws.
Confusion over capital offences
A senior police officer in Rift Valley Province said petty offenders had been released on free bond or cash bail. He said the deadline does not apply to capital offences.
Under the old law those accused of capital offences could be detained for up to two weeks, but the new law is silent on the period.
The Bill of Rights stops the police from arbitrarily arresting someone or searching private property.
The law enforcers are required to explain to the arrested person, in a language that they understand, why they are being arrested.
