Residents of Mugamba Ciura village, Murinduko Ward, Mwea, are in shock after a pregnant woman died and her husband sustained serious injuries in an incident involving a police vehicle. According to eyewitnesses, the couple was traveling in a police Land Cruiser from Itangi Police Station when officers allegedly refused to let them alight at their destination. The incident triggered protests along the Piai-South Ngariama road, with angry residents blocking the road and confronting police officers.
Pastor Ephantus Mwangi of Mugamba Ciura village reported that the husband attempted to get out of the vehicle but was allegedly thrown out by one of the officers, sustaining serious injuries. A short distance later, the man's pregnant wife was allegedly thrown from the moving vehicle and died on the spot. The residents are demanding action against the two officers involved, including the driver and the officer who was at the back of the vehicle.
The deceased, identified as Catherine Mwende Njeru, was traveling with her husband, Anthony Muturi, who said they were headed to their farm in Rupingazi to irrigate crops and pick miraa. Muturi said the couple was waiting for a motorcycle at around 2am when a police Land Cruiser stopped and offered them a lift. He said they accepted the offer but the officers allegedly refused to let them out when they reached their destination and instead demanded Ksh.1,000.
Residents also accused the officers of regularly stopping along the road to pick up passengers and demand money for the lifts. Alfred Muthomi claimed the same vehicle had previously carried him and other residents before demanding Ksh.500. Boda boda rider Lawrence Mugo said he was shocked after arriving at the scene and finding the woman dead and her husband seriously injured.
The situation was eventually brought under control after DCI Veronica Kapoko and Wang'uru Base Commander Jamilah Murugu engaged the residents and assured them that stern action would be taken against the officers. The residents subsequently allowed officers from the scene-of-crime unit to access the area and process the scene. Detectives from Wang'uru Police Station examined the body and noted injuries on the forehead and right hip.
The body was later moved to Embu Hospital Mortuary, while Muturi was taken to hospital for treatment. Mwea East Sub-County Police Commander Henry Gitonga and the Mwea East Sub-County DCI also engaged the residents, who had blocked the road, before the road was reopened. The two police officers involved in the incident are being sought as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths and injuries continue.
Former Kirinyaga Deputy Governor Peter Ndambiri told residents that they would not relent until the officers involved were arrested. “We will storm the police station if the two officers who are fond of collecting money are not arrested,” Ndambiri said. The incident has raised concerns about police brutality and extortion in the region.
Key points
- The incident triggered protests along the Piai-South Ngariama road, with angry residents blocking the road and confronting police officers.
- The residents are demanding action against the two officers involved, including the driver and the officer who was at the back of the vehicle.
- The incident has raised concerns about police brutality and extortion in the region.
