A Nairobi woman has come forward with a disturbing account detailing what she describes as gross mistreatment while in police custody, an incident that has sparked outrage among human rights groups and members of the public.
The woman, identified as Martha Ochieng, said her ordeal began after she was arrested over a minor traffic-related offence.
According to her account, officers at the police station allegedly ignored standard procedures and placed her in a holding cell meant for male detainees, despite her objections.
Once inside the cell, Martha claims she was subjected to intimidation, threats, and severe harassment from the inmates.
She alleged that the male cell held 16 inmates at the time, leaving her extremely vulnerable and unsafe.
She further claimed that her repeated pleas for assistance were ignored by officers on duty. According to her statement, the situation escalated during the hours she spent in the cell, leaving her physically injured and emotionally traumatised.
Martha was eventually released after a friend intervened and raised the alarm. She later sought medical attention and counselling before deciding to speak publicly about her experience in pursuit of justice.
Legal experts and human rights activists have strongly condemned the incident, describing it as a serious violation of the Constitution and the National Police Service Act, both of which require the strict separation of male and female detainees and the protection of all persons in custody.
Gender rights organisations have since called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to launch a full investigation and to hold any officers found responsible accountable.
The case has reignited debate on police accountability and the safety of women in detention facilities, with many Kenyans demanding urgent reforms to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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