The family of 20-month-old baby Alexander Mutunga is still waiting for justice more than a year after his tragic death in police custody in Kambu, Makueni County.
On May 28, 2024, Mutunga died hours after allegedly being struck during his mother’s arrest, an ordeal that continues to haunt the family. His mother, Ziporah Mutheu, recalls being assaulted by police officers who also struck her baby while she carried him on her back.
According to a postmortem conducted by government pathologist Dr. Grace Midigo, the toddler succumbed to internal bleeding caused by blunt force trauma to the head.
Despite statements being recorded and investigations opened, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have yet to take the matter to court.
Human rights activist and Usikimye founder Njeri wa Migwi has raised concerns over the prolonged silence, revealing that Mutheu continues to call and visit the organisation for updates, with no progress reported.
The grieving mother has also endured further personal struggles, including losing her shop to theft, temporarily losing track of her older child, and the breakdown of her marriage.
Activists have urged IPOA and the DCI to expedite investigations and ensure accountability for the child’s death, warning that prolonged delays erode public trust in law enforcement.
