Family demands justice as man dies in custody

Keringet Police Station in Kuresoi South, Nakuru County, where Bernard Cheruiyot was held for two days before he died under unclear circumstances. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

A man died on Sunday under unclear circumstances at Keringet Police Station, Kuresoi South, Nakuru County.

On March 28, Bernard Cheruiyot, 30, was arrested by members of the public and handed over to the police for allegedly threatening to kill a neighbour.

Although residents say Cheruiyot was in good health when he was taken into police custody, his wife found him dead at Keringet’s Sub-County Hospital, with injuries to the head, mouth, ears and eyes. 

No one can explain what transpired between Saturday at 10:30 pm, when one of his wives, Shandevine Chebet, left him at the station, and Sunday morning, when she found him dead at the hospital.

Shandevine Chebet, the wife of the late Bernard Cheruiyot, recounts the last moments she saw her husband alive at Keringet Police Station. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

Nakuru County Police Commander Samuel Boit said Cheruiyot was in custody with 10 others, but on Saturday night, a report of a distressed prisoner was made to the Deputy OCS.

“The OCS went to the cells and found Cheruiyot lying in pain, and when he asked the inmates what had happened, they said he had injured himself on the cell wall,” said Boit. 

Boit said the OCS noticed Cheruiyot had injuries to the head and took him to the hospital. At the hospital, the patient was examined, and the nurse reported he was out of danger. He was returned to the police station.

“The patient was monitored until the officer left the station at 5 am, only for his condition to worsen around 6.30 am. He was then taken back to the hospital, where he died during treatment,” Boit explained.

“We have handed over the file to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for further action,” he said.

The county police boss admitted that the police were suspects and could not investigate themselves. 

The family, however, blames the police for Cheruiyot’s death, claiming that it may have been planned. 

Chebet said her husband was arrested while he was trying to help his brother, who was involved in a quarrel with a neighbour over Sh10.

“My brother-in-law went to charge his mobile phone at the neighbour’s shop, but when he got his phone back, it was not charged. He demanded a refund, and a quarrel broke out, and the neighbours attacked him,” Chebet explained.

She said her husband went to his brother’s rescue. Cheruiyot is said to have gone to the shop and confronted the neighbours, who then reported to the police that he had threatened to kill a neighbour.

“Village elders arrested my husband at his workplace. He was healthy, and we are shocked that he died while in custody,” she said.

She recounted visiting him on Saturday. She said he was sweating and shivering but otherwise appeared fine and even had some tea. 

“I want the officers to tell me who beat him. I returned on Sunday, and they told me to go to the hospital. I found him lying dead,” she said. 

She said he had head injuries, a swollen eye, and bleeding from his mouth and ears. 

Cheruiyot’s mother, Caroline Songok, said her son not only cared for his wives and four children but also paid school fees for his two siblings. 

His uncle Joseph Barno accused the police of favouritism, saying they only serve those who have money.