"I Was Arrested By Police Officers, Taken to Male Cell and Abused," Sad as Nairobi Woman Reveals Ordeal

A Nairobi woman, Martha Ochieng, has come forward with disturbing claims of sexual assault while in police custody, raising serious concerns about detainee safety and police accountability. 

The ordeal reportedly began after a minor traffic violation led to her arrest.

According to Martha, officers placed her in a holding cell designated for male detainees, ignoring her repeated warnings that her safety was at risk. 

She alleges that inside the cell she faced verbal abuse, intimidation, and sexual harassment from male inmates, which later escalated into a prolonged assault, leaving her physically hurt and emotionally traumatized.

She says she was eventually released after a friend intervened and sought medical and psychological support before going public with her story to demand justice.

Martha accuses the officers involved of negligence and abuse of authority, highlighting that proper procedures, including strict separation of male and female detainees, are required by law.

Human rights advocates and legal experts have condemned the alleged misconduct, calling on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to conduct an independent investigation and hold any responsible officers accountable.

The incident has reignited public debate on police accountability and the safety of women in detention facilities, prompting calls for urgent reforms to protect detainees from abuse and ensure adherence to custody regulations.