This archive report was first published on 9 September 2019.
On September 9, 2019, a court case involving three administration police officers suspected of involvement in a Sh72 million bank heist in Nairobi was delayed due to allegations of torture.
Chief Magistrate Martha Mutuku directed that the three officers, Chris Machogu, Duncan Luvuga, and Boniface Mutua, be taken to the Kenyatta National Referral Hospital for medical tests alongside civilians Vincent Owuor, Alex Mutuku, and Francis Muriuki.
The magistrate also delayed making a ruling on whether the suspects should be detained, as requested by the investigating officers, pending the results of the medical examination.
Defence lawyer Cliff Ombeta claimed that some of the suspects were tortured during interrogation, including Mr. Owuor, who was allegedly forced to admit that he was a police officer despite being a civilian.
Mr. Luvuga was also said to have sustained injuries in his head after being immersed in water and beaten.
The court heard that the police should have gathered enough evidence before arresting the suspects, and that they should be treated fairly.
The money in the heist was destined for automated teller machines within Nairobi.
