In a surprising revelation, celebrated Kenyan musician Suzanna Owiyo shared her experience of spending time in a Naivasha police cell. This event occurred on March 28, 2014, when Owiyo was detained for speeding on her way to Kisumu.
Owiyo vividly recalled the incident in a social media post. She described being pulled over by highway police around 8 am and subsequently detained in Naivasha. “I will never forget that day. I tasted the cell of Naivasha…for some hours before being taken to court,” she shared. Her arrest was due to exceeding the speed limit.
Inside the women’s cell, Owiyo encountered another detainee who had been arrested for selling illegal brew. Despite the stark difference in their situations, they formed a quick bond. Owiyo asked the woman to take a full picture of her. The woman, seemingly under the influence of alcohol, struggled but managed to capture the moment. Owiyo kept the best picture from this interaction, which she later shared.
While in detention, Owiyo observed the arrival of male offenders being escorted to court, a commotion that prompted her to retreat to a corner to avoid attention. She expressed her confidence in being released soon due to the nature of her offense. “I wasn’t worried because I knew I would come out soon,” she noted. True to her expectations, she was charged, paid the fine, and continued her journey to Kisumu.
However, the experience wasn’t without its challenges. The unsanitary conditions in the cell were particularly upsetting to Owiyo. “One thing that always bothered me was the way the cell was kept. Very dirty! Maybe things have changed now!!” she expressed, highlighting an issue often overlooked in the criminal justice system.
This incident not only sheds light on a personal experience of a renowned artist but also underscores the broader issue of conditions in detention facilities. Suzanna Owiyo, known for her musical prowess and social activism, brings attention to this matter, inviting a reflection on the state of police cells in Kenya.