Let the police respect rights of all suspects

Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino presented before Chief Magistrate Lucas Onyina on July 20, 2023 three days after he was arrested at JKIA on grounds of conspiracy to commit crimes. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

Once upon a time, State critics used to be picked by security agents from their homes, offices, university classrooms or wherever, and held in custody by the dreaded Special Branch at Nyayo House or Nyati House for days on end.

After untold torture, they would be taken to court at odd hours where a selected judge and prosecutor would be waiting, not to be freed but mostly to plead guilty to trumped up charges and handed down jail sentences. Those seen as more radical were not offered these luxuries. They would be sent straight to detention without trial. This impunity is part of the reasons Kenyans fought for the rights and freedoms they are entitled to under the 2010 Constitution.