Pregnant Woman Dies After Allegedly Being Pushed From Moving Police Vehicle
The woman, identified as Catherine Njeri, reportedly sustained serious injuries after allegedly falling from the vehicle along the Piai-Itangi Murram Road.
Her husband, identified as Muturi, claimed the incident occurred after the couple sought a lift from police officers travelling in the area.
According to Muturi, the officers allegedly demanded KSh1,000 for the lift. He said tensions escalated after the officers refused to stop the vehicle, despite his attempts to make them halt.
He alleged that a scuffle then broke out between him and one of the officers who was at the back of the vehicle.
“There was a scuffle between me and one officer. I was holding a metal rod when I was hit, forcing me to let go and fall on the tarmac. They took off with my wife,” Muturi narrated.
Muturi further alleged that his pregnant wife was subsequently pushed from the moving police vehicle.
He said Njeri sustained severe injuries in the incident and died at the scene.
Police launch investigation
Police Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga confirmed that the woman had been found by the roadside along Piai-Itangi Murram Road.
Nyaga said Njeri had visible injuries to her head and hip when she was discovered.
The investigation is expected to establish the events that led to the woman’s death and determine whether any officers were involved in causing her injuries.
“The Inspector General of the National Police Service (IG-NPS) has been kept briefed on this heinous crime and has directed the Director of Criminal Investigations to expedite the investigation and establish the facts,” Nyaga said.
The case comes amid continued scrutiny of police conduct and the treatment of members of the public during encounters with law enforcement officers.
Police officers face possible action
Central Region Deputy Police Commander David Wambua said disciplinary action could be taken against the officers if investigations establish that they were responsible for the incident.
Wambua, however, did not immediately confirm whether the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) had taken over the investigation.
He said the officers would first be subjected to internal procedures if evidence established their culpability.
“The first action will be to interdict the officers if they are found to be culpable of the incident,” Wambua said.
The deceased woman’s body was later moved to the Embu Hospital Mortuary.
Her husband was taken to hospital after reportedly sustaining serious injuries during the incident.
The outcome of the investigation will determine whether any police officers will face disciplinary or criminal proceedings over the incident.
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Pregnant Woman Dies After Allegedly Being Pushed From Moving Police Vehicle
