Pressure on police following extra-judicial killings in Kisumu

Pressure continued to pile on the police in Kisumu following allegations of brutality that led to the death of an arrested suspect.

Residents, human rights activists and family members have continued to question how Michael Otieno Abonyo, 31, was handled as he later succumbed to injuries at the Jaramogi Teaching and Referral Hospital.

 Activists protest

The death of Mr Abonyo has prompted activists to storm Kondele Police Station yesterday demanding answers from the authorities on what they termed as extra-judicial killing.

Abonyo is said to have been arrested on charges that he failed to prevent a felony, according to the Occurrence Book at the station.

He was allegedly detained and tortured in the police cells and later died on February 10.

The deceased’s brother, John Onyango Abonyo, said he suspected foul play in the death, claiming the police were not telling the truth.

He said one of the officers told him his brother was epileptic while another said he suffered from Leukemia, which surprised him because, he said, there was no history of either illness in their family.

“When I left Michael at the cell, he was well and healthy. I was surprised to hear that he had died and I had to rush to the station to confirm,” said Onyango, adding that he wanted to know the cause of his brother’s death.

Onyango said he attempted to force him to swear an affidavit that he would neither launch a complaint nor undertake a post-mortem.

He said a post-mortem report revealed the deceased had a broken rib and a crack on the head.

 Get justice

Kisumu City Residents Voice Association Chairman Audi Ogada is now calling on the National Police Service, the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), Commission of Administrative Justice and other institutions to intervene.

Ogada stated that the police, who are supposed to protect the people, had turned against them.

The Kisumu County Police Commandant claimed the deceased was not tortured but had convulsions at the cell after an epileptic episode that made him hit his head numerous times on the wall and floor.