This archive report was first published on 18 July 2020.
On July 18, 2020, a family in Shanzu, Mombasa County was left reeling after their home was allegedly ambushed by 15 heavily armed police officers at midnight.
The officers, who arrived at the family's homestead, claimed that one of the family members was a criminal and whisked him away, leaving the family traumatized.
"The armed men came into the house and made us sit on the floor. They also went into the bedroom and woke up the children who were already sleeping," one of the family members stated.
According to the family, the arrested individual, Juma, was a respectable person who attended daily prayers at the mosque. He had been arrested in 2018 over terror-related charges but was released from Shimo La Tewa maximum prison six months ago.
The incident has sparked concerns about police brutality, particularly during curfew hours. Police Spokesperson Charles Owino urged the public to view the story from both sides, citing cases where police officers have been brutally murdered by civilians.
"We have lately had cases where Police officers have been killed by civilians using machetes. The latest case being the killing of a 29-year-old police officer by civilians in Lamu yesterday. The officer was attacked without provoking or even attempting to arrest anyone," he revealed.
