A family in Ugenya Sub-County, Siaya, is demanding justice after kin was allegedly run over by a police car.
According to the family, the tragic incident occurred following a confrontation between the police and 36-year-old Austine Odhiambo.
The police, who had come to carry out an auction order on December 28, demanded to take away three cows belonging to the deceased on allegations that he defaulted on a debt.
While attempting to stop the police from seizing his property, the officers instead dragged the man aside before running over him with a Land Cruiser.
The 36-year-old was rushed to Ukwala Sub-County Hospital, where he was declared dead upon arrival.
"When I arrived home, I found my child on a motorbike being rushed to the hospital. I quickly rushed to the house to take some cash since I had no money in my pocket. Upon arriving at Ukwala Hospital, the boy succumbed," Boniface Opondo, the man's father, narrated.
"The police who should be protecting citizens are the ones killing people. Then how do we help ourselves, or how can you help us so that we can get justice."
Roseline Awino, the deceased mother, urged the police to fast-track investigations.
"Even up to now, no government officer has come to my home to ask what exactly occurred. From these junior government officers to the senior ones, no one has come. So I am requesting you to come and help me so that he can get his justice."
Meanwhile, Siaya County Police Commander Cleti Kimaiyo confirmed that officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had launched investigations into the matter.
"I am assuring you that investigations are going to be made to ascertain how the incident occurred," Cleti noted.
"The DCI is doing its part in regards to the death of that person. So I think at the end of the whole process, the truth will be revealed and we are not going to hide anything."
In a similar incident, a family in Meru is demanding action after their kin died in a hospital cell.
The deceased family alleged that the 20-year-old died in a police cell in Meru after being arrested on December 27, 2023.
According to the family members, police officers failed to notify them of the arrest and even stopped them from seeing their kin the following day after his arrest.
The kin revealed they received the news of his death from fellow inmates after his body was ferried to the mortuary.
Up to now, they have been left in the dark, and clarity surrounding their son's death have not been availed to them.
