Police have explained how a suspect identified as Antony Ochieng died after he had been arrested in Githurai area, Kasarani.
This comes amid calls for an investigation into the death of Ochieng following allegations that he was arrested by police officers before his death.
The allegations, circulated by individuals demanding justice for Ochieng, claim that officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters and Kasarani Police Station arrested him before he died in unclear circumstances.
Those making the allegations further claim that authorities falsely reported that Ochieng died in a road accident.
They are demanding the immediate arrest and prosecution of the officers allegedly responsible for his death, as well as an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamed said Ochieng died out of an accident he had been involved in.
He said Ochieng and an accomplice in custody had been escaping in a Mazda car after detecting police were following them.
This followed reports of stealing in the area on September 22. The speeding car crashed leaving Ochieng with serious injuries. Another man who was on board managed to escape, Mohamud said.
“The man was arrested and taken to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. I don’t think there was anyone who beat him as claimed,” he said.
He urged for patience and investigations to be conducted into the incident.
Mohamud said a planned autopsy will explain the cause of the death and give the way forward.
The body was taken to the morgue pending an autopsy.
Ochieng’s friends said the circumstances of Ochieng’s death should be established through a transparent investigation and called for accountability if the allegations are substantiated.
The calls come amid broader concerns over alleged police misconduct and accountability in cases involving deaths in custody or following police contact.
The car that Ochieng and the other occupant were in was badly damaged after the accident.
It was later towed to a local police station pending investigations.
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