The Law Society of Kenya, on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, raised concerns over the reported arrest of Nairobi Central Police Station OCS Dishon Angoya.

According to reports, the OCS is said to have been arrested following his decision to release dozens of people detained during protests linked to rising fuel prices and the escalating cost of living.

The arrest, which is said to have taken place in the early hours of Tuesday, has intensified debate over police discretion, constitutional safeguards and the state’s response to nationwide demonstrations that have disrupted transport, businesses and movement in major towns across the country.

According to activists and legal officials, Chief Inspector Angoya was arrested after 64 individuals who had been taken into custody during Monday’s protests were released from Nairobi Central Police Station.

The officer is said to have been transferred to Lang’ata Police Station later, as investigations into the incident commenced, according to activists.

Activist Boniface Mwangi said the officer later developed health complications while in custody and was rushed to Lang’ata Hospital ahead of his anticipated court appearance.

“We are at Langata Hospital, where OCS Dishon Angoya has been admitted. He is facing prosecution for releasing Kenyans who were wrongly arrested for exercising their rights. He says he was authorized to release them by the OCPD and by law in his capacity as OCS. He is in good spirits and says he is ready to go to court!” Mwangi said in a statement shared via his official X account.

LSK steps in

The Law Society of Kenya has raised concerns over the reported arrest of Angoya.

In a statement shared via X on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, LSK President Charles Kanjama said the society had received reports regarding the officer’s arrest and had already deployed advocates to follow up on the matter.

According to Kanjama, the OCS is said to have considered charges and released 64 individuals who had been arrested during the demonstrations linked to the ongoing fuel crisis and nationwide protests.

The LSK noted that its legal teams are also attending to several other cases involving peaceful protesters currently appearing before courts.

“The Law Society of Kenya has received and is acting on reports that Nairobi Central OCS, Chief Inspector Dishen Ongoya, was arrested last night following his decision to consider charges and release 64 persons arrested during yesterday’s national stay-away,” Kanjama stated.

LSK defends police discretion

The lawyers’ body defended the authority of police commanders to exercise lawful discretion when processing arrested persons.

Kanjama emphasised that an Officer Commanding Station (OCS) is constitutionally and legally permitted to determine whether suspects should be detained or released, provided the decision complies with the law and constitutional safeguards.

“An OCS is constitutionally and legally entitled to exercise discretion in the processing and release of arrested persons, subject to the law and the rights guaranteed under Article 49 of the Constitution,” he said.

Warning against intimidation of officers

The LSK further warned that punishing officers for exercising lawful discretion could have dangerous implications for the criminal justice system and constitutional policing.

According to Kanjama, such actions risk creating fear among police officers tasked with protecting constitutional rights during arrests and detention processes.

“Punitive action arising from the lawful exercise of such discretion risks sending a chilling message to police officers tasked with upholding constitutional safeguards within the criminal justice process,” he added.

The development comes amid heightened tensions following nationwide protests and strikes over rising fuel prices and the cost of living.

Hundreds of protesters were arrested in different parts of the country during demonstrations that disrupted transport, business operations, and movement in major towns and cities.

Human rights groups and legal organizations have increasingly raised concerns over the handling of arrests, detention procedures, and treatment of demonstrators during the ongoing unrest.