A primary school teacher died under unclear circumstances while being held in police custody at Ragana Police Post, in Migori county.
Henry Wanga Aura was on Saturday, March 3, found dead at the Ragana Police Post where he had been detained following a domestic fight with his wife.
According to his mother, Rosenael Aura, she learned of her son’s demise when she took him food in the morning.
“I brought him breakfast but the officer on duty was reluctant to allow me to see him. I became suspicious and called his brothers. That’s when we were told he had died. The officer claimed that he hung himself the previous night using a shirt,” said the mother.
The mother narrated that her son had a disagreement with his wife who filed an assault case against him leading to his arrest on Friday, April 2.
“He had a scuffle with his wife. I was in my house and only heard his wife shouting. Nobody was willing to share what had ensued, so I took it as a normal family difference,” she said.
Reports indicate that the wife fled the home after learning that the husband was dead.
Wanga’s body was taken to the Migori County mortuary for an autopsy.
Residents stormed the police post demanding an explanation about the exact cause of death. They said they had doubts about the suicide claim made by the officers.
The locals raised concerns about alleged extrajudicial killings by police officers at the recently established Ragana police post.
One Pappine Odongo, claimed that the police officers use excessive force when handling suspects also adding that Wanga’s death might have been the result of torture.
“We are tired of these officers. Everyone who is apprehended is beaten. Men are often dealt with severely. We demand to know exactly what transpired because the victim was found lying on the floor of the police cell with visible head injuries,” Odongo said.
Odongo also claimed that his elder brother is currently bed-ridden due to torture by the officers.
“Last week, my elder brother was senselessly beaten by the officers for flouting curfew rules. He is currently bed-ridden. I am appealing to the inspector-general of police to order investigations,” he said.
Wilson Nduati, Suna West Sub-county Police Commander said that the investigations into the incident were launched.
“I cannot give any tangible report for now, but we are investigating the incident and will take appropriate action,” he said.
