Residents of Kikopey, Gilgil, Nakuru County torched the Kikopey Police Station on Tuesday evening after a suspect allegedly died at the hands of the police.
The irate residents stormed the police station after allegedly receiving an autopsy report stating that the suspect died from strangulation.
“Greater people of Kikopey I would like to inform you that post mortem of our brother who died at the hands of Kikopey police officers has been done and it shows he was strangled from behind and was also assaulted on the joints and chest,” read the statement which triggered the residents' outrage.
The residents strongly believed that the suspect was involved in a love triangle with a lady said to be in a relationship with a police officer working at the station.
The residents proceeded to the police station heckling and throwing stones before eventually overpowering the police officers on duty.
Reports indicate that the residents proceeded to burn tyres within the police station compound before destroying property.
Police said the group burnt down three motorcycles, an empty gas cylinder, a camping bed, a police tyre, a security solar panel, an electric meter box and damaged window panes.
It was reported that the residents proceeded to the Nakuru-Naivasha Highway and attempted to block the road.
However, law enforcement officers from various posts in the Gilgil area managed to overpower them and restrained them from further damaging property.
Despite the allegations, the police have denied being involved in the man’s death.
Suspects passing on while in police custody has become rampant with human rights groups raising the alarm over the matter.
On January 20, a suspect died at a cell in Ruiru, Nairobi County. The suspect is said to have suddenly collapsed despite not having any recurring health issues.
The incident put the police station on the spot with most calling on the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate such cases thoroughly.
