A family in Nanyuki is in deep pain after the sudden death of Julie Njoki, a young woman who reportedly died after being assaulted while in police custody.
Julie was arrested on Monday, July 7, during the Saba Saba demonstrations and taken to Nanyuki Police Station. Her family says what followed was a nightmare no one should ever go through.
According to her aunt, Julie was taken to court the next day, and a ruling was made. But later that same night, while still in police custody, Julie was allegedly beaten unconscious by the same officers who were supposed to protect her.
In a heartbreaking message shared online, Julie’s aunt described the events leading to her niece’s death. She said the police used brutal force on Julie and did not take immediate action when it became clear she needed urgent medical attention.
Instead, they delayed her treatment and remained silent about what had happened. Julie was finally taken to the hospital, but by then, the damage was already done.
The medical report showed she had suffered blunt force trauma to the head, which confirmed that she had been physically assaulted.
Her family believes that the police not only mistreated Julie but also tried to hide the truth. They are shocked and disappointed in a system that is supposed to protect innocent citizens.
Julie’s aunt said she was angry and broken by what had happened. She questioned how a young person could be arrested on a Monday and be dead by Wednesday. She asked how Kenyans can have any trust in a system that is turning against its own people.
Julie’s death has added to the growing anger among Kenyans over rising cases of police brutality.
Just recently, another young Kenyan, Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger, also died while in police custody in Nairobi.
These repeated cases have left many questioning the role of the police in today’s Kenya. Citizens and some leaders have taken to social media to demand justice and call out the police for turning their guns on the youth instead of protecting them.
Julie’s family is still waiting for answers, and many are hoping that her death will not be ignored. The question remains whether this time, the truth will come out and whether justice will finally be done.
