Bungoma Police Station. | image source: westfm.co.ke
Police in Bungoma County have been accused of killing a woman who sold illicit brew.
Emily Naliaka is said to have been beaten to death by police when she resisted arrest on January 20 in Ndengelwa village.
Naliaka’s brother Joseph Wanjala said she was confronted by nine police officers from Bungoma Police Station at 8pm.
He said they had come to collect a bribe but she resisted and tried to run away but they ran after her, kicked her and left her in pain, Wanjala said.
“After brutally injuring Naliaka, they arrested her daughter and an elderly woman and took them to Kanduyi market, 15 kilometres away. The police demanded KES 4,500 in order to set them free. We gave the money to officers Munyoki and Kihara of Bungoma Police Station,” Wanjala added.
Wanjala said when they went back home they realised that Naliaka had been injured by the officers and was lying helpless in a sugarcane plantation.
Bungoma leaders have called on County Commissioner Mohammed Maalim and Police Boss Charles Munyoli to carry out a thorough investigations and help identify the suspects.
The area's Women representative Reginalda Wanyonyi condemned the brutality against the 40-year old Naliaka.
“We are calling upon the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to investigate the matter because the police bosses in Bungoma seem to be protecting their colleagues,” Wanyonyi said yesterday.
She said if the county security chairman does not act she will lead a demonstration in Bungoma town until all the officers responsible for Naliaka’s death are arrested.
Bukembe West ward representative Julius Wafula said it is sad that those expected to be law enforcers are perpetrators of crime.
Maalim said he launched investigations into the matter after the officers denied injuring Naliaka.
He also ordered an independent autopsy before taking the next step.
- The STAR