Family Mourns Death of Man Allegedly Injured in Police Custody
A family in Kuresoi South is in deep mourning following the death of their relative, who allegedly sustained injuries while in police custody. The incident has sparked outrage among locals and members of the family, leading to a tense confrontation at the Keringet Police Station.
On Monday, March 30, family members and residents of Kuresoi South stormed the Keringet Police Station to demand answers regarding the circumstances surrounding the man’s death. The event highlights growing concerns about the treatment of individuals in police custody and the need for transparency in such cases.
What Led to the Arrest?
The deceased, identified as Benard Cheruiyot, was arrested and locked up at Keringet Police Station for the offense of threatening to kill. According to his wife, Shandevine Chebet Kigen, the situation took a tragic turn just days after his arrest. She recounted how she attempted to visit her husband but was met with hostility from the officers at the station.
“I took tea to him, and he was okay before I went to relax at a hotel, but when I returned, I was denied an opportunity to see him, and I was told to go home,” Chebet tearfully recalled. She later visited the station on Sunday morning and was informed that her husband had been taken to the hospital.
At the hospital, she allegedly found her husband unattended and with a swollen body. “My husband was swollen all over the body, and the officers who were with him told us to look for a Probox to take him, but when I returned, I found him dead,” she said.
Police Response and Investigation
In response to the incident, Nakuru county police commander Samwel Boit traveled from Nakuru to Keringet Police Station, which is over 70km away, to address the situation and calm down the public.
Boit stated that the victim died of suspected injuries from banging into the walls of the cell. He explained that on the night of March 29, a report of a disturbing prisoner in a police cell was received through the report office and sentry personnel. The deputy OCS visited the cell and found the man lying in a relaxed manner.
According to Boit, the OCS noted that the man had a swollen forehead but was talking and appeared visibly okay. The officer then monitored the victim and sought the assistance of a nurse at Keringet sub-county hospital to examine the man, who was reportedly out of danger.
Ongoing Investigations and Calls for Accountability
Boit confirmed that an inquiry file has been opened by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has been informed to take over the matter. He added that once the investigations are complete, the report will be made public, and any officers found culpable will face legal consequences.
Meanwhile, angry members of the public have appealed to the Cabinet secretary for the Interior, Kipchumba Murkomen, to take action against the Keringet Police Station. They are demanding a thorough review of the station’s operations and a commitment to ensuring that such incidents do not occur again.
The case has raised serious questions about the treatment of detainees and the need for greater oversight within the police force. As the investigation continues, the community awaits answers and justice for the deceased.
