Gov't Issues Orders To NPS, IPOA After Kirinyaga Woman Miscarries In Custody

Gov’t Issues Orders To NPS, IPOA After Kirinyaga Woman Miscarries In Custody

The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) is requesting explanations from the National Police Service (NPS) following reports of a pregnant lady miscarrying at seven months while in police custody.

In a statement issued on Thursday, June 12, the commission asked for prompt investigations into the incident, accountability, and, ultimately, gender-responsive policing reforms to prevent recurrence.

A pregnant woman allegedly suffered a miscarriage while in police custody—an unconscionable tragedy that demands answers. The Commission calls for immediate investigation, accountability, and gender-responsive policing reforms.

Pregnancy should be protected, even behind bars.… https://t.co/DuJgMN0ffx
— The National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) (@NGECKenya) June 12, 2025

“Pregnancy should be protected, even behind bars. Maternal health must never be collateral damage in law enforcement processes,” the statement read in part.

“Enough is enough. We must sensitise police officers—with data, training & empathy—on the rights of special interest groups. Fairness. Accountability. Dignity. Now. We urgently call on IPOA and NPS to launch swift, transparent investigations and ensure accountability.”

NGEC emphasised the necessity of having procedures in place to protect pregnant mothers in prison, stating that maternal health was a right that needed to be protected.

To achieve this, the commission advocated for mandatory training of police officers on how to handle such circumstances in order to reduce casualties in police custody.

Reports of the woman miscarrying in detention surfaced on Wednesday, with her relatives stating that she was seven months pregnant and had complained when she was booked at the Kinangop station in Nyandarua County.

A pregnant woman reportedly miscarried in police custody in Sulmac, Kinangop, after being arrested over missing funds. Despite pleading for medical help, officers allegedly ignored her. Residents protested, accusing police of negligence. #KBCniYetu ^MM pic.twitter.com/Ze4RisTL6o
— KBC Channel 1 News (@KBCChannel1) June 11, 2025

She was repeatedly detained after her employer made a complaint alleging that Ksh18,000 from a day’s sales had gone missing.

Later, it was discovered that just Ksh9,000 was missing, so the family raised Ksh6,000.

Despite the family’s requests to the complainant to wait until the next day to pay the remaining Ksh3,000, he refused to hear their complaints and locked her up for the night.

“I pleaded with the police to release my sister as we tried to raise the money on Wednesday, but they declined,” the victim’s sister stated.

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“I pleaded with them, informing them that my sister had other children waiting at home and we had a sick mother to take care of, but they refused.”

While in prison, she reportedly complained of acute stomach pain and requested medical assistance, which the officers apparently ignored.

At after 1 a.m., the victim called her sister to say she needed help because she was bleeding severely. She raced to the station but was apparently chased out.

Witnesses and family members report that the woman began having issues but was left ignored for hours, resulting in the terrible loss of her pregnancy.

Gov’t Issues Orders To NPS, IPOA After Kirinyaga Woman Miscarries In Custody