This archive report was first published on 2 July 2020.
Published on July 2, 2020, a government agency released a report exposing the depth of torture and deaths caused by security officers in the name of implementing coronavirus restrictions.
One of the latest incidents occurred in Nyarago village of Uriri, Migori County, where a family is in mourning after their kin was allegedly clobbered to death by police officers for not wearing a face mask.
Julius Ouma, 68, was walking home from Awendo town when he met two officers near Nyarago bridge. His son, Phillip Orwa, said the officers accosted the old man, demanding to know why he was not wearing a face mask.
“Just before he could explain himself, the officers pounced on him, hitting him on the head,” said Orwa.
While on the ground, the officers hit his legs with batons, leaving him for dead. Witnesses took him to his home, and family members then took him to a local private hospital where he was admitted, complaining of pain in the head and leg.
He lost his ability to speak after two days and died on Monday while undergoing treatment. The family now wants the unidentified officers brought to book for his death.
“It is sad that the officers chose to beat him up instead of arresting him and charging him,” said Orwa.
Another incident occurred in Nakuru, where human rights organisations have petitioned the Inspector General of Police and Independent Policing Oversight Authority to investigate a case where a 27-year-old man was allegedly shot and injured by the police.
According to Human Rights Network, the police are intimidating the victim and lodging extra crimes against him.
Police claim that Jackson Ondiek, who is currently admitted at Eldama Ravine Hospital, is a suspected thief who defied a dusk to dawn curfew on June 7, 2020.
Ondiek says he failed to get a means of transport home and was caught up by the curfew, leading to his shooting.
At least 56 cases of human right violations perpetrated by law enforcement agencies have been reported, among them 19 deaths, according to the Independent Medico Legal Unit.
