Two policemen to face murder charge over suspect's death
The victim died succumbed to injuries which he got while in police custody in Nyandarua.
What you need to know:
- Ipoa chairperson Anne Makori said in a statement that the duo was arrested after the prosecutor’s office approved the agency’s recommendation to charge them with murder.
Two police officers have been arrested on suspicion of beating a suspect to death in Nyandarua.
The Independent Police Oversight Authority (Ipoa) said on Tuesday that the two policemen, Wilson Irungu and George Otieno Nyaoke, who are attached to Malewa administration police camp were arrested over the murder of David Wachira who died over a year ago while in custody.
Ipoa chairperson Anne Makori said in a statement that the duo was arrested after the prosecutor’s office approved the agency’s recommendation to charge them with murder.
The victim was arrested on suspicion of stealing livestock on April 20 and died the following day at the JM Memorial Hospital in Olkalou.
Senior police officers had indicated that he died after he choked while having a meal at the police station.
But Ipoa investigated the death to establish the truth.
Ms Makori said investigators found that the victim had suffered serious injuries while in police custody which may have caused his death.
“Ipoa made recommendations to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to charge the two officers with murder. On August 11, the ODPP concurred with Ipoa’s recommendations,” said the statement.
Ms Makori confirmed that the officers were taken for mental assessment and will be arraigned in Naivasha to plead to the charges.
