This archive report was first published on 5 July 2021.
On July 5, 2021, Interior CS Fred Matiang'i announced that he had taken charge of investigations into the mysterious deaths of three individuals at Rioma Police Station in Kisii, Kenya.
The move comes two weeks after two people mysteriously died while in custody at the police station, where another person had died towards the end of 2020.
Speaking during the opening of the Inspector General Conference, Matiang'i noted that he had received a report and intended to act upon it.
He further promised that all officers found culpable would face the full force of the law after investigations are concluded.
Inspector General Hillary Mutyambai had previously sent an internal affairs team to the police station after Matiang'i requested the move.
One of the victims, Justus Nyangeso, 45, had complained of head and stomach pains before his death on June 28.
His death was followed by another mysterious death in the same week, prompting a protest from Kisii residents.
A 16-year-old student was also shot dead during a protest staged by the residents who were protesting the death of a boda boda operator due to aggravated police assault.
The police station has consistently been at the center of controversy, including a July 2020 incident where it was torched over the death of a local businessman.
