Police didn’t beat up Nakuru woman, they saved her from irate mob

Nakuru County Commissioners Erastus Mbui, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya and Rift Valley Regional Police commander Marcus Ocholla when they visited Mercy Cherono at Nakuru Provincial General Hospital on June 11, 2020. [Joseph, Standard]

Police have distanced themselves from an incident in which a 21-year-old woman was tied on a motorbike and dragged for over 200 metres in Olenguorone, Kuresoi South for allegedly breaking into a cop's house in a dehumanising clip that emerged on social media Wednesday. 

Local police boss Henry Nyaranga said contrary to claims that one of his officers was involved in the unfortunate incident in which Mercy Cherono was left nursing a broken limb and other bodily injuries, it’s them who saved her from her tormentors.

Nyaranga said after being alerted, his officers rushed to the scene and whisked away Cherono from irate members of the public who had descended on her after allegedly being caught stealing household items.

Though Cherono told the media on Wednesday that she was beaten up by a police officer, Nyaranga said in the latest statement recorded by Cherono, she indicated that she was roughed up by members of the public.

"We have recorded Cherono’s statement and she has indicated that indeed she was beaten up by members of the public before our officers rescued her,” said Nyaranga.

He said they have launched investigations into the matter after Cherono’s statement and soon action will be taken against the perpetrators.

Cherono is said to have been roughed up after allegedly being found stealing from the house of Kuresoi South Deputy OCS David Kiprotich.

Speaking to the media on Wednesday at his hospital bed, Cherono claimed that she was beaten and dragged by a police officer known to her.

"I was seated in a bar and he found me in there, he dragged me out of a bar and beat me and raised an alarm.

She said the officer stripped her in the process, broke her limb during the ordeal.

Arrested

Kenyans reacted angrily to the clip which saw three officers getting arrested over the incident.

Interior CS Fred Matiang’i confirmed the arrest, saying the government will not hesitate to punish rogue police officers.

“Three police officers have been apprehended in connection with the Kuresoi incident where a woman was mishandled,” he said on Thursday.

He cautioned police against engaging in unlawful acts when on duty, adding that professionalism must be maintained by officers at all cost.

“I reiterate Government's commitment to ensure that its security officers retain the highest level of professionalism as they enforce law and order,” he added.

Crying for justice

Rift Valley Police Commandant Marcus Ochola said the suspects would be arraigned after investigations are completed.

Ochola and Rift valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya visited Cherono at Nakuru Provincial Hospital where she was transferred to after being treated at Olenguorone Sub-County Hospital.

The one-minute, 30-second clip caused fury among Kenyans on social media who called for action to be taken against the perpetrators.

Catherine Cherotich, Cherono’s mother has condemned the incident, adding that her daughter did not deserve that inhuman treatment.

“Even if she was caught stealing, is it fair to treat her like that? They should have locked he up and take her to court,” she said.