The death of 19-year-old boda boda rider Erick Otieno has sparked fresh concern over allegations of police brutality after his family claimed he died following his arrest and detention at Muthaiga Police Station. His relatives are demanding answers about what happened to him while he was in police custody, as investigators continue looking into the circumstances surrounding his death.
According to his family, Erick left home expecting to spend the day working as a boda boda rider, just as he normally did. However, they say he was arrested by police over what they described as a minor traffic offence.
Instead of returning home after his arrest, his family says they were later called to collect him from Muthaiga Police Station. They found him in severe pain, unable to stand properly and showing signs of serious physical injuries. He died shortly after being released.
A postmortem examination later revealed that Erick had suffered fatal internal injuries caused by blunt-force trauma.
The report further showed that about two litres of blood had collected inside his abdomen, raising serious questions about how he sustained the injuries while in custody.
The findings have become a key part of the ongoing investigation as authorities seek to establish what happened during the period he was held at the police station.
The family has also alleged that police officers demanded a cash bail of Sh10,000 following Erick’s arrest. Lawyers representing the family believe that five police officers may have been involved in the arrest and detention, and they want all those linked to the incident to be investigated.
They are calling for accountability and insist that those responsible should face the law if found culpable.
The case has attracted the attention of human rights activists, including Wanjira Wanjiru, the co-founder of Mathare Social Justice Centre. Reacting to Erick’s death, she expressed concern that similar incidents continue to occur despite previous public outcry over deaths linked to police custody.
She said many Kenyans had hoped such cases would end after earlier incidents involving Albert Ojwang and Julia Njoki.
Wanjiru noted that Erick was arrested on a Saturday and was dead by Tuesday. She questioned how such incidents continue to happen and argued that police officers cannot continue treating members of the public in this manner.
She also mentioned plans for a demonstration on Thursday as activists and supporters push for justice and reforms.
Erick’s death has once again highlighted concerns about how young Kenyans, especially those working in the informal sector such as boda boda riders, are treated when they come into contact with law enforcement officers.
Human rights groups have repeatedly raised concerns about allegations of excessive force, unlawful detention and deaths occurring while suspects are in police custody.
His family continues to demand a full, independent and transparent investigation into every stage of the case, from the circumstances of his arrest to the injuries he suffered while being held at Muthaiga Police Station.
They also want investigators to determine whether proper procedures were followed during his detention.At the time the case was reported, a detailed official police response had not been widely made public.
Attention remains focused on establishing exactly what happened between Erick’s arrest and the moment his family collected him from the station.
The postmortem findings remain central to the investigation, while his family, activists and many Kenyans continue to call for justice and accountability.
