The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into the incident where a man is said to have died while in the custody of Police Officers in Kuresoi South.

The man identified as Bernard Cheruiyot died on Saturday under mysterious circumstances while incustody of police officers from Keringet Police Station in Kuresoi South where he was being held after his arrest on Friday.

IPOA South Rift regional coordinator Sarah Mweah who spoke to Mtaa Wangu on phone confirmed that the authority had taken over the matter and will be giving update in due course.

Cheruiyots family is however calling upon the authority to expedite the investigations to establish what actually happened to their kin.

Recounting the moments before her husband’s death, Shandevine Chebet says she had pleaded with police to allow her to take him to hospital after his health deteriorated, but her request was denied.

“On Saturday, my husband’s health was deteriorating. He was shivering and sweating, which prompted me to request the police to allow me to take him to hospital. However, they refused and sent me home,” she explains in tears.

Chebet adds that on Sunday; while heading to the police station to check on him, she met a police officer who questioned why she was going there instead of the hospital.

“I rushed to the hospital and found my husband lying on a table with no one attending to him. Police had taken him there but did not ensure he was attended to. I moved him to a hospital bed, but by then he was not responsive,” she laments.

Cheruiyot' s wife Shandevine Chebet laments over police not allowing her to take her husband to hospital on time leading to his death two days after his arrest

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA /MTAA WANGU

Cheruiyot's uncle Joseph Barno, notes he had been arrested on Friday following a complaint by a neighbour who alleged that he had him issued threats.

“Our son had a conflict with a neighbour, and through the village elder’s intervention, he was arrested. At the time, he was healthy. To see his condition worsen within two days raises serious questions about what happened while he was in custody,” says his uncle, Barno.

Cheruiyot's uncle Joseph Barno calls for investigation by IPOA to get justice for their son who died while under police custody in Keringet Police station

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA / MTAA WANGU

Nakuru County Police Commander Samuel Boit, however, defended the police stating that the detainee had indicated he was fine when checked in and that procedure was followed.

According to Boit, Cheruiyot had been booked at Keringet Police Station for the offence of threatening to kill after being brought in by members of the public alongside village elders.

He explains that on the night of March 29, officers received a report of a violent suspect in the cells, prompting the deputy OCS to respond.

Nakuru County Police Commander Samuel Boit during an interview on the death of Bernard Cheruiyot

Photo credit: PURITY KINUTHIA/MTAA WANGU

“The officer found him lying down and upon inquiry, he said he was okay but had injured himself on the cell wall. He had a visible injury on the forehead,” Boit states.

Boit adds that the deputy OCS sought medical assistance from Keringet Sub-County Hospital, where a nurse came to the cell, examined the detainee and indicated that he was out of danger, advising officers to continue monitoring him.

However, his condition later worsened, prompting officers to take him back to hospital for further treatment, where he died.

“We do not take such incidents lightly. The matter has been reported, and an inquiry file has been opened by the DCI. IPOA has also been informed because we cannot investigate ourselves,” Boit says.

The family says they have already recorded statements with IPOA on March 30 and are now urging the authority to expedite investigations and ensure justice is served.

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