Outrage in Gatundu after man allegedly beaten to death by police while in custody

A 30-year-old man has allegedly died in police custody under controversial circumstances in Kiganjo Centre in Gatundu South.

The deceased, identified as Paul Njuguna, reportedly died shortly after being arrested by officers for alleged possession of bhang.

Tensions flared in the Kiganjo area after news broke of Njuguna’s death just hours after his arrest, with witnesses claiming he was brutally assaulted and ultimately strangled to death by officers from Kiganjo Police Station who arrested him.

The incident has reignited calls for police accountability, with angry residents accusing officers of brutality and abuse of power.

“Akipitishwa hapa hakuwa anakanyaga chini, alikuwa anapitia kwa hewa hadi ni mimi nilisimamisha wazee na wamama wengine pale na wasee wa nduthi nikawaambia ona venye wakiwa wamewaacha hapo chini,” said a Kiganjo resident, James Karanja.

Another, Patrick Njoroge, explained; “Umemshika mtu wetu, umepitia hii soko yote ikimpiga hadi wamama wanashtuka, anapigiwa nini? Venye ata amefika huko stenje sisi tunaambiwa ati mtu wetu hayuko.”

Veronica Waruguru added: “Pahali walimkuta walienda wakimchapa, wakimchapa halafu walikuwa wamemfunga....”

The angry residents stormed the police station, demanding justice. The protests quickly escalated as some attempted to set the police station ablaze before being dispersed by the law enforcers.

Tension remains high in the area, with residents accusing the police of corruption and brutality — vices they say have become rampant at the station.

“Hebu niambie kama watu hawangejua wangemfanyaje? Tungesemanga kijana wetu alipotea na ameokotwa huko, tuseme ni wezi, hakuna security, kumbe wenye wanafaa kutulinda ndio wanatuua,” Karanja noted.

Njoroge added, “Hata kama alikuwa na bunduki, alifaa kupigwa hadi auliwe? Unadhani kupiga mwanaume vita hadi akufe ni vita inakaa aje?”

“Hawa askari juzi walinipigia pale, wakanipiga, wakanipiga hadi huku nyuma kwote. Ona huku kwa uso wakanipiga, na hata sina pesa kufika huko. Mtu anapewa pesa hadi hiyo story iishie hapo, na ako kwa simu anascroll tu. Waondolewe hapa,” another resident, James Kiiru, said.

The irate residents are demanding justice for one of their own, even as police deny the allegations, insisting that the deceased choked on bhang as he tried to conceal evidence.

“Results zimetoka na zimeonyesha kwamba kijana wakati alishikwa, alishikwa na bhangi. Na kabla ashikwe na polisi afanyiwe search, aliweka kwa mdomo na akaimeza ikiwa imefungwa na karatasi ya nylon, na ndio ilimnyonga. Actually, during the postmortem hiyo bhangi imetolewa vile vile imefungwa na karatasi yake — it is still an exhibit,” Gatundu South Deputy County Commissioner Rose Chege stated.

The Deputy County Commissioner has, however, warned police officers against using excessive force while arresting Kenyans.