Loreto Girls students took to the streets of Kiambu on August 17, 2011 to protest the death of their teacher, Mr John Muturi, after he was allegedly tortured by officers at the Kiambu police station on Sunday night. Photo/ERIC WAINAINA
By ERIC WAINAINA rc.wainaina@gmail.com
Posted Wednesday, August 17 2011 at 22:30
Posted Wednesday, August 17 2011 at 22:30
Protests broke out on Wednesday after the death of a teacher his family said was tortured by police.
Residents, students and teachers took to Kiambu town’s streets after the family of the secondary school teacher accused police officers of causing his death.
The relatives said Mr John Muturi Kamau, 47, who was a chemistry and biology teacher at Loreto Girls’ Secondary School in Kiambu was arrested on Sunday night on his way home.
According to his brother, Mr Kamau Terisia, the police detained him the whole night, but after his release, he complained of limb and lower abdomen pains, saying that police had beaten him.
Pick up his car
Pick up his car
“I spoke to him on Saturday night and he did not have any problem. On Monday morning, his colleague called and informed me that my brother had been arrested and was unwell after his ordeal in the police cells,” Mr Kamau said.
Mr Stanley Mwangi, a colleague, said that when he was arrested, Mr Muturi called him and asked him to pick up his car at the scene and meet him at the police station.
“I arrived at the police station around half past midnight and found him okay. I pleaded with the police officers to set him free, but they refused, saying they would only do so in the morning,” Mr Mwangi narrated.
He said he went back to the station at 6am and found his friend feeling unwell, saying he had difficulty walking.
“I took him to Kiambu Hospital where he was referred to Kenyatta National Hospital. There he died while undergoing treatment,” Mr Mwangi narrated.
The family says doctors told them he had internal injuries.
The incident sparked protests among residents and teachers and students at Lereto School.
They marched to Kiambu Police Station, demanding an explanation.
“It is clear that the teacher was arrested a healthy man, but was released a dying man due to the torture he underwent at the hands of police.
“We demand a quick and thorough investigation and action to be taken against the culprits,” Mr Clement Gicharu, the KiambuKenya National Union of Teachers executive secretary, said.
Mr Gathii Irungu, a lawyer, said he saw Mr Muturi just before he died and he instructed him to file a complaint against the police over the incident as he wished to sue.
The lawyer said he will still take the matter to court.
Police said Mr Muturi had been arrested for being drunk and disorderly.
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I personally knew Mr Muturi very well and he quit drinking over seven years ago. The police were just seeeking an avenue to extort a bribe. Yesterday the OCS was at kenyatta hospital and together with his family saw the OCS trying to lock us out of the postmortem so that he can claim that Mr Muturi was drunk. Justice needs to be done. its already evident that the police cannot investigate themselves. thats like telling a thief to burn himself to death. we kindly request any human rights organizations to help ensure justice is served for Mr MUTURI. tomorrow it might be you in the same circumstances if we don't stop such ad behavior.
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ReplyDeleteHe was my Chemistry teacher.they took away such a precious thing in Loreto kiambu.may justice take its course and the intolerance of such things be condemned with the strongest terms possible.
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