A Kenyan family is grieving the death of Eric Otieno, a Kenyan-American citizen who reportedly died while being held inside the cells of Kitengela Police Station on the night of September 18. Otieno had been out with two friends when they were arrested as they left a nightclub. His family insists he had done nothing wrong and was given no clear explanation for why he was taken into custody.
Otieno's wife, Georgina Mwawasi, said officers dressed in civilian clothing carried out the arrest. She noted that while Otieno's two companions were put in handcuffs, he was not, and that even he could not explain why he had been detained. Mwawasi stated that "two of his friends were put in cuffs, but they did not put him in cuffs. The reason for arrest my husband said he did not even know why he was arrested and said it could be malingering."
According to the family, witnesses inside the cell repeatedly tried to raise the alarm as Otieno's health worsened, but claim the officers on duty failed to respond adequately. His close friend David Mwangi also confirmed that Otieno was arrested as he left the club. The family is now accusing police of neglect, adding to the concerns surrounding Otieno's death.
A postmortem examination conducted on September 19 found no external injuries suggesting he had been physically assaulted. However, the examination revealed that Otieno had been living with tuberculosis and a kidney-related illness at the time of his death. This new information has raised questions about whether Otieno's underlying medical conditions were adequately managed while he remained in custody.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has since opened an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death. Investigators will now scrutinise whether Otieno's underlying medical conditions were adequately managed while he remained in custody, and whether the duty officers responded appropriately when his condition began to deteriorate.
The family's allegations of neglect, combined with the postmortem findings, form the core of what IPOA will examine as it seeks to establish what exactly happened inside that cell on the night of September 18. The investigation aims to provide clarity on the events leading to Otieno's death and to determine whether police protocols were followed.
The incident has sparked widespread concern, and the IPOA's investigation is expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding Otieno's death. The family is seeking answers and justice for their loved one, and the investigation will hopefully provide closure and accountability for all parties involved.
Key points
- The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has opened an investigation into the death of Eric Otieno.
- Otieno's family alleges police neglect contributed to his death in custody.
- The postmortem examination revealed Otieno had underlying medical conditions, including tuberculosis and a kidney-related illness.
