Family Demands Justice After Man Dies in Unclear Circumstances at Muchatha Police Post

The family of Samuel Muchemi is seeking answers after he died under unclear circumstances at Muchatha Police Post. Muchemi, 34, was involved in an altercation with a chief and police officers late Thursday night, which led to his arrest. By Friday morning, he was dead.

Police records indicate that Muchemi died by suicide. However, his family disputes this claim. They wonder how he could have killed himself in full view of the police officers manning the station.

Muchemi’s elder brother, Daniel Maina, expressed disbelief at the police’s account. “The police told me that Kimamo killed himself using his shirt. That he tied his shirt on one of the grills in the police cells, which are about four feet from the ground, tied a knot on his neck and forced his body to slide from the grills until he died,” Maina said.

Maina narrated how his brother spent the day with his friend, Charles Kung’u, at a joint in Muchatha. Charles left earlier, planning to meet Muchemi at his home later. The plan was simple: Muchemi would tarry at the entertainment spot a bit longer before joining his friend at his home in Muchatha, as it would be too late for him to drive back to his home in Thika.

However, instead of meeting at his house as planned, Charles received a call informing him that Muchemi had been stopped by the local chief and police officers. Charles rushed to the scene but found Muchemi engaged in a heated argument with the officers. He tried to intervene but was roughed up and decided to go home, planning to pick Muchemi from the police station in the morning.

When Charles arrived at the station the next morning, he was informed that Muchemi had been taken to Kiambu Law Courts. After searching the courtrooms, Charles realized his friend had not been presented before any judicial officer.

Meanwhile, Muchemi’s wife, based in Eldoret, received a call from the police asking her to rush to the station. She informed them that Maina, her husband’s brother, was nearby and could get to the station.

Maina rushed to the station, where he was informed that his brother had died by suicide. The family finds it hard to believe that Muchemi, who openly talked about his plans to finish his course and become a licensed heavy machinery operator, would commit suicide after being arrested for drunk driving.

Also, one of the officers investigating the matter allegedly told Maina that some women saw his late brother driving recklessly and called the area chief, who quickly gathered officers and effectively arrested.

“The chief must be very effective to the extent that in the blink of an eye, he called officers and immediately went and arrested a man who was drunk,” he said.

Kiambaa sub-County Police Commander Pius Mwanthi said they were awaiting post-mortem results to guide their next steps. “I am aware of the case and we conducted preliminary investigations that did not reveal much. Our hope in unearthing what transpired relies heavily on the post-mortem which was conducted today (Monday). The results from the post-mortem will help us with our investigations,” he said.

For the family, all they want is justice for their loved one. “All we want is for the truth to come out and for all those involved in his death to be held accountable. This is too painful. Police stations should be the safest places in this country, not places where people go and never come out,” said Maina.