Charles Owino, head of the National Communication Centre and former police spokesperson, has raised serious concerns over the mysterious death of a suspect who reportedly died while in police custody under unclear circumstances.
The suspect, whose name has not been released, was said to be alone in a cell when he allegedly hit his head against a wall, leading to his death. However, Owino has cast doubt on this explanation, questioning the logic of such a theory in the absence of any eyewitnesses.
“The question is, how do you come up with a theory that someone hit their head if the individual was alone in the cell?” Owino asked. “Such a theory might make sense if there were others in the cell who could serve as witnesses, but in this case, there were none. That alone gives a bad image.”
Owino criticised inconsistencies in the initial report presented by the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) and verified by the Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD), which formed the basis of the Inspector General’s understanding of the incident. He called for transparency and urged law enforcement to uphold accountability in handling such sensitive matters.
He also emphasised the importance of a thorough autopsy to determine the actual cause of death, noting that trying to cover up such incidents could damage the police service in the long run.
“Sometimes, it is just better to tell things as they are because you may end up protecting someone who later destroys your whole institution,” Owino warned.
He added that officers stationed at the report office and the cell sentry on duty that night must provide clear and detailed accounts of what happened, especially regarding any unauthorized access to the cell.
“This is the only police service we have, and it must maintain public trust. If any officer is involved in such a crime, then they must be dealt with and punished accordingly,” he said.
The incident continues to fuel concerns about detainee safety and the state of accountability within the National Police Service.
