No justice for Kakamega woman whose leg was broken over face mask

Medical and police reports showing that 26-year old Shillah Imali fractured her leg on March 24. She allegedly her leg broke following a fracas with police officers over not wearing a face mask. [Mumo Munuve, Standard]

A day after the government lifted the directive on mandatory wearing of masks in public as part of easing Covid-19 containment measures, a woman in Kakamega is still in pain.

Shillah Imali, 27, from Busingo village is seeking justice after police officers allegedly broke her leg on March 24, 2021.

Ms Imali vividly remembers the unfortunate incident when she encountered officers from Serem Police Post who assaulted her and broke her leg because she did not have a mask.

On the fateful day, she says about eight police officers jumped out of their vehicle and confronted her. She quickly ran to her house, but the police followed her there.

“I surrendered and pleaded for mercy but they would hear none of it,” she said. “One of them then jumped on my leg. It really hurt and I became immobile.” 

Ms Imali says she has spent over Sh150,000 on treatment and seeking justice.

“That unfortunate day the police broke my leg will forever remain in my mind, it left me with a permanent injury. I have knocked on every door in search of justice to no avail,” she says.

Ms Imali says she visited Serem Police Station and was told to bring eight witnesses to testify against the said officer.

After The Standard covered her plight in July last year, officers from the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) visited her, recorded her statement and promised to update her on the progress. She has never received feedback.

She now hopes that the IPOA will act swiftly in their investigations so that the rogue officers are brought to book.

Timothy Njomo from IPOA told The Sunday Standard that he has to revisit the case before commenting on the matter.

“I have to go through the file then get back to you so I give you the finer details about the case,” said Njomo.