Police have launched an investigation into the death of a mother of five who collapsed after two police officers allegedly stole Ksh30,000 she had collected from her chama.
Confirming the incident, Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jecinta Wesonga revealed that Scolastica Marada died shortly after two officers raided her home.
Wesonga stated that the officers based at the Kiminini police station accused of snatching the money from the deceased were in custody.
"We are aware of the death and have received reports that the two allegedly took money from the woman. The officers have been reprimanded as we look to establish the truth," she stated.
According to the police report, the officers who were conducting a raid on illicit brewers confronted Marada, who has been in business for the last eight years, allegedly demanding a 'protection fee'.
The deceased's sister, Brenda, claimed that the officers ordered Marada to give them a hefty bribe, which she unsuccessfully tried to negotiate to Ksh1,000. However, after a brief altercation, Marada is said to have gone into her house and was immediately followed by the two officers.
"She walked into the house and they went after her. One of the officers grabbed the purse from my sister before leaving the house," Brenda recounted.
Immediately, Brenda and her other sister, Nekesa, walked into the house only to find Marada in a sorry state - she had collapsed and was lying helplessly on the floor.
"Scola kept on saying, that the one wearing glasses had finished her. That he had taken Ksh30,000 that she had collected from her table banking group," Nekesa stated.
With the help of neighbours, they administered first aid to the victim before rushing her to a local health facility. She was pronounced upon arrival and her body taken to the Kiminini Cottage Mission Hospital mortuary.
The deceased's sisters told the police that Marada had a heart condition and also suffered from hypertension, or blood pressure. They suspect that the altercation with the officers may have triggered an attack.
News of her death sparked protests with locals barricading the Kitale-Webuye highway, demanding justice.
