In early October 2018, Hivisasa highlighted a case of police brutality in Nakuru. A man identified as Peter Kariuki died while in police custody under unclear circumstances. He was allegedly arrested over selling illicit alcohol.
The case came to our attention through the editor in charge of Nakuru. The editor got wind of the death from conversing with residents on the streets of Nakuru. A group of women were talking about the case and the editor interviewed one of them for further details.
As a media outlet dedicated to determining the truth, the Nakuru editor took the initiative of highlighting the matter with the aim of unravelling what happened behind bars. Our end goal is to ensure justice is served.
According to officers at the Teachers Police Post, Kariuki committed suicide while in custody. However, the family was not convinced with the explanation.
The editor later notified Preston Mambili, one of Hivisasa’s top writers based in Nakuru to follow up the case. Hivisasa managed to publish an article on the mysterious death of Kariuki.
The Hivisasa article caught the attention of a human rights organisation based in Nakuru. The organization, Nakuru Human Rights Network (NAHURINET), through Director David Kuria resorted to help the victim's family get justice.
NAHURINET is currently engaging relevant agencies to unearth what transpired at the police post. NAHURINET has reached out to the Director of Public Prosecution demanding a thorough probe to ascertain circumstances behind Kariuki’s death. The organisation has also reached out to the Independent Police Oversight Authority.
The involved suspects were later arrested but are out on bail as investigations continue.
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