Police in Githongo, Meru County, are investigating the death of a 39-year-old man who died after reportedly ingesting a poisonous substance under unclear circumstances.
The deceased, identified as Junior Mbogori, a resident of Githongo Market in Imenti Central, died on October 3 at about 3am while receiving treatment at St Theresa Mission Hospital, Kiirua.
According to police, Mbogori had on September 29 contacted his younger brother, complaining of severe stomach pain and asking to be taken to hospital.
His brother found him in severe pain and vomiting inside his rented house before taking him to Githongo Sub-County Hospital, where he was admitted in serious condition.
While at the hospital, Mbogori allegedly told his brother that at about 2am on September 29, while returning from a drinking spree at Georgina Bar in Githongo Market, he was accosted and handcuffed by two men who identified themselves as police officers.
He claimed the two men demanded that he take them to his shop near Githongo Law Courts and open it. After he allegedly refused, he said they forced him to ingest an unknown substance.
Mbogori reportedly raised an alarm, attracting two security guards manning the law courts. The guards, allegedly responded and the two men fled.
The guards then escorted Mbogori to Githongo Police Station, where they encountered a police officer at the report office. Police said the officer removed the handcuffs before Mbogori was allowed to leave with the guards.
However, during further questioning, Mbogori gave a different account of how he had ingested the poisonous substance.
He told investigators that he had been taking deworming medication but accidentally ingested an insecticide.
Police said the conflicting accounts have prompted further investigations, including medical, forensic and witness examination.
Mbogori’s condition later deteriorated and he was transferred to St Theresa Mission Hospital, Kiirua, where he died while undergoing treatment.
Following his death, officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Imenti Central and Githongo Police Station visited and processed his residence, where he had been living alone in a bedsitter within Githongo Market.
Investigators recovered assorted medicines and clothes suspected to contain vomit. The items were secured as exhibits for forensic examination.
A pair of handcuffs reportedly removed from Mbogori at Githongo Police Station was also taken over from the OCS and secured as an exhibit.
His body is lying at St Theresa Mission Hospital, Kiirua Mortuary, pending a postmortem examination to establish the cause of death.
Police said investigations are focusing on the circumstances surrounding the alleged poisoning, the claim that two men posing as police officers accosted and handcuffed Mbogori, the conflicting accounts regarding the substance he ingested, and the subsequent events leading to his death.
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