Police camp burnt hours after death of man in cell

Residents of Butula burnt down Malambisia AP Camp in protest after a man allegedly died while in police custody.

The family of the 20-year-old Carston Wafula had earlier accused police of killing their son, hours after he was arrested by officers from Malambisia.

Wafula's lifeless body was found in the cell at around 8am yesterday, his left hand cuffed to the c ell's grill and a bed sheet wrapped around his neck.

The deceased's father Jarston Barasa said his son was arrested at 4am on Saturday after he was linked to the recent defilement of a girl.

The home of the girl who was allegedly defiled was also reduced to ashes by irate members of public. Senior security officers who visited the scene refused to comment on the matter.

This is not the first time angry residents of Butula are burning an AP camp. Two years ago Burinda AP Camp was also burnt down after police killed a boda boda rider.

Mr Barasa said his son was full of life when police picked him from their home in Bwaliro.

“My son cried when he was being arrested because police were clobbering him with gun butts. I pleaded with officers not to beat him up instead they chased me away,” said Juma.

He added,” When I went to the station to give him clothes I was again chased away only to be called later and told that Carston was dead.” said Juma.

Juma claimed police killed his son. He wants Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to carry out investigation to determine circumstances that led to the death of the 20 year-old man.

The locals claimed they know the police officer who killed the former boda boda operator.

" We know the name of the police who killed our colleague, we shall share information to an independent body that will be carrying out investigation but not police officers," said one of the locals

The incident comes barely one month after the death of a man in Elugulu in Butula constituency under the watch of police.

Criminal investigation officer of Butula constituency Njogu Muriuki had earlier told The Standard that Wafula hanged himself.

“ We have launched investigation into the matter and soon the truth will come out,” said Muriuki.

In a seperate incident, members of public attacked three police officers in Tangokana on Thursday night and snatched their guns.

The officers were on patrol when they heard people screaming in a bar.When they checked in the bar to find out what why people were screaming they were attacked.

Police later recovered the guns in a home of former police officer. The attacked officers are still admitted at the Busia referral hospital where they are receiving medication.