People’s Liberation Party (PLP) Leader Martha Karua has strongly criticised the reported arrest of Nairobi Central Police Station Commander Chief Inspector Dishen Angoya, saying it undermines constitutionalism, the rule of law, and the independence of the National Police Service.

In a press release posted on her X account on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Karua said the arrest followed Angoya’s decision to release 64 protesters on police bond during demonstrations over rising fuel prices and the cost of living.

“The arrest of Chief Inspector Dishen Angoya for performing his duties professionally and in accordance with the Constitution is unacceptable. It constitutes a direct assault on constitutionalism, the rule of law, and the independence of the National Police Service,” she said.

She said the Constitution protects police officers when they exercise lawful discretion in handling suspects.

“The Constitution guarantees operational independence to police officers in the execution of their duties. Decisions relating to the release of suspects pending arraignment, and whether or not to prefer charges, are matters of professional discretion to be exercised independently, objectively, and strictly within the confines of the law,” Karua said.

Karua directly accused senior state officials of responsibility, saying they should act to secure the officer’s release.

“The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration, Kipchumba Murkomen, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Renson Igonga, stand indicted unless they immediately secure the unconditional release of Chief Inspector Angoya,” she said.

She warned that political interference in police work threatens democracy and weakens institutions meant to protect public order.

“It is therefore an abuse of office for members of the political class to orchestrate the arrest of a police officer for lawfully discharging his duties,” she said.

Karua said such actions risk turning the police service into a politically controlled institution.

“These actions suggest an alarming desire by those in authority to subordinate the police service to political direction and transform it into a partisan instrument or private militia. This is unconstitutional, dangerous to democracy, and must be resisted by all Kenyans of goodwill,” she added.

She called on Kenyans to support officers who act within the law and urged protection from intimidation.

“We call upon all citizens to stand in solidarity with police officers and security personnel who act within the law and uphold their constitutional mandate,” she said.

Karua also urged the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights to step in and safeguard public servants from harassment.

“A police service that operates under fear that professionalism and non-partisanship may result in arrest or persecution cannot be expected to discharge its mandate effectively or impartially,” she said.

Her remarks come amid growing concern from human rights organisations and legal bodies over the arrest of the Nairobi police commander.

Rights groups condemn arrest

Transparency International Kenya (TI-Kenya), the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) and members of the Police Reforms Working Group have also condemned the arrest, saying it raises serious questions about police independence.

In a joint statement, the groups said Chief Inspector Angoya acted within the law when he granted police bond to protesters arrested during the nationwide demonstrations.

“The power to grant police bond is grounded in Kenya’s legal and constitutional framework. Criminalising the exercise of this discretion undermines the rule of law,” they said.

They warned that punishing officers for lawful decisions could affect operations within the police service.

“It chills professional judgment within the police service and signals unlawful interference in operational independence,” the statement added.

Reports indicate that Angoya was arrested after releasing 64 individuals detained during protests linked to fuel price hikes and economic hardship. He was later transferred to Lang’ata Police Station as investigations continued.

Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi said the officer later developed health complications while in custody and was taken to hospital before a planned court appearance.

“We are at Lang’ata Hospital, where OCS Dishon Angoya has been admitted. He is facing prosecution for releasing Kenyans who were wrongly arrested for exercising their rights,” Mwangi said.

The groups also raised concern over claims that the arrest was ordered from higher levels of command, describing it as a sign of politicised policing.

LSK President Charles Kanjama said the organisation had deployed lawyers to follow up on the matter and defended the legal discretion of police commanders.

The developments come at a time of heightened tensions following nationwide protests over fuel prices, which disrupted transport and business activities across several towns.