Pregnant Woman Suffers Miscarriage in Kinangop Police Custody

A pregnant woman's tragic miscarriage while in police custody has ignited a national uproar, prompting the National Gender and Equality Commission (NGEC) to call for an immediate and thorough investigation. 

The incident occurred in Kinangop, Nyandarua County, after the woman, seven months pregnant, was detained on allegations of misappropriated funds from her workplace. Despite partial recovery of the disputed funds, the employer insisted on her continued detention. Family members' appeals for her release were denied, leading to a night in custody during which her condition deteriorated, relatives reported.

The woman experienced severe abdominal pain and requested medical assistance, which was allegedly denied. According to witnesses, she was left unattended for several hours after experiencing heavy bleeding around 1 a.m., culminating in the loss of her pregnancy. Family members who rushed to the police station were reportedly turned away.

The NGEC has strongly condemned the handling of the case, emphasizing the urgent need for systems that protect the rights of pregnant detainees. In a statement released Thursday, the commission asserted that maternal health must be a priority, even in law enforcement scenarios, and called for mandatory training on handling vulnerable individuals in police custody.

The NGEC urges the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the National Police Service (NPS) to conduct swift, transparent investigations and hold those responsible for negligence accountable.