A court has sentenced two police officers after finding them guilty of causing the death of a suspect who had been arrested during a night patrol in Nyamira County.
According to prosecutors, the officers arrested the suspect, identified as Kereri, and took him to a police post after the patrol.
Once there, they allegedly assaulted him while he was in custody.
The court heard that Kereri was held at the station overnight following his arrest. Prosecutors said he suffered serious injuries during that time.
The following morning, he was taken to hospital for treatment. However, doctors confirmed that he had already died by the time he arrived.
The case drew attention as it raised concerns about the treatment of suspects while in police custody and the responsibility of officers to protect those under arrest.
During the trial, the prosecution presented evidence from 14 witnesses who gave their accounts of what happened before and after Kereri’s death.
Their testimonies helped the court piece together the events that led to the incident.
The case was led by Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions Joel Chirchir, who argued that the officers had used unlawful force against the suspect instead of following proper police procedures.
The prosecution maintained that Kereri’s death was not accidental but resulted from the actions of the officers while he was under their care.
After reviewing the evidence and hearing witness testimonies, the court found the officers responsible and convicted them.
The sentencing marked the end of a case that had been closely followed by many in the area, with residents and human rights groups calling for justice for the deceased and accountability within the police service.
The ruling also sends a strong message on the importance of protecting the rights of suspects and ensuring that officers who abuse their power are held accountable under the law.
