Meru family seeks justice after kin died under police custody

Mwenda’s body was discovered a day after being arrested by Police officers drawn from Maua Police Station, leading to his mysterious death under police custody. 

Meru County Criminal Investigating Officer, Abedinego Kavoo, has told Citizen TV that the late Mwenda, who was a robbery suspect, succumbed to injuries following a mob attack incident. 

Mwenda's wife Glory Gatwiri, was with her slain husband when men who identified themselves as police officers picked him up at his home on Friday night in Kinna, Igembe, Meru County. 

“Walisema hao ni polisi na Walienda naye na kesho yake nikaenda hadi katika Maua Police station na nikamuona lakini hawakuniruhusu nizungumze na yeye. Walichukua gari lake la Probox pia,” said Glory.

According to Glory, there is a vehicle being driven around by the said police officers who arrested her husband. 

“Kesho yake Saturday usiku, walirudi na yeye hapa nyumbani na wakachukua mbuzi na vile vile wakaelekea kumkamata mwenzake kwa jina la Baariu,” Glory said. 

That was the last time Glory saw her husband alive. 

“Tulipoenda mahakamani Jumatatu, hakuwa....tukaenda kwa Maua Police Station hakuwa... tukapata taarifa kwamba kuna mwili ililetwa na maafisa wa usalama katika makavani ya hospitali ya Nyambene Level 4, kaunti ya Meru,” she recalls. 

“Hatukumpata mahakamani ..Mwana wangu hakuwa mwizi...na kama alikuwa na kosa mbona hawakumleta kotini,” George Peter Nyaga adds. 

Meru County Criminal Investigating Officer, Abedinego Kavoo, has told Citizen TV that the late Mwenda was a robbery suspect, who cooperated in arresting another suspect with 2 firearms, a G3 and AK 47 gun, but unfortunately succumbed to injuries following a mob attack incident. 

“He cooperated in leading us to arrest another suspect who had 2 firearms as well as 4 goats. It was a sting operation targeting 17 hardcore criminals in Igembe following incidents of violent robberies in the area,” says officer Kavoo. 

However, the family denies the police report that their kin succumbed as a result of a mob attack and is demanding justice for their kin.