Police in Madogo, Tana River county are investigating their officer after the vehicle he was driving reportedly hit and killed an elderly man in Madogo town, Tana River county.
According to the Bangale subcounty police commander Ephrain Karimi, the vehicle attached to the Madogo police station was ferrying suspects to Garissa Law Courts when the incident happened.
“It is unfortunate that our vehicle hit an 80-year-old man who later succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at Garissa County Referral Hospital. We have launched an investigation into the matter,” Karimi said.
“The victim was partially blind and deaf. We are suspecting health conditions contributing to the accident but due process will be followed."
The victim succumbed to his injuries hours after he was rushed to the hospital. He was later buried in the evening according to Islamic rites after a postmortem was carried out on the body.
“We have reached out to the families and they have agreed with us to take all the necessary steps in this matter,” the Bangale police boss said.
The driver, a police officer, is out on a free bond as the investigating team awaits an inspection report by the NTSA.
The locals however accused the driver of speeding leading to the accident.
Hussein Dalo, an eyewitness said that the vehicle was speeding while the victim was hit as he crossed at a snail’s pace.
Dalo told KNA on the phone that vehicles belonging to security officers are always driven at high speed whenever passing through Madogo town.
“This particular driver is always speeding when driving through the town. The spot the old man was hit is next to the Madogo bus stage that is not only frequented by passengers but is next to an open-air market,” he said.