Angry Eldoret residents detain body of man knocked down by police vehicle

Angry residents of Langas Estate in Eldoret town have detained the body of a man who was allegedly knocked down by a police vehicle on Tuesday night.

The irate residents blocked police from collecting the body which has been lying at the scene of the accident within the estate at Kona area for more than 12 hours.

Residents claim the man identified as Benard Siundu was knocked down by the police vehicle which was speeding while chasing dealers of illicit alcohol in the area.

Paul Mwangi, a resident, said the victim who is aged above 60 years was knocked down at about 11.30 pm on Tuesday night.

“He worked at a construction site and was heading home when a speeding police vehicle allegedly him from behind. He died on the spot,”, Mwangi said.

Attempts by police from Langas Police Station to retrieve the body and take it to the morgue failed as they were turned away by charged residents.

“We want those who knocked him down arrested before we release the body,” another resident said.

Paul Siundu, a brother to the deceased, was at the Langas Police Station with other family members seeking help to retrieve the body from the scene.

“He is a father of two and was heading back home from work when the incident occurred,” Paul said.

Branda Siundu, another brother of the deceased, said he was informed last night about the incident.

“From the reports we received it’s like he was knocked twice by the same vehicle which hit him and then reversed again,” Branda said.

Eldoret Central police boss Edward Masibo is in the area working on how to retrieve the body.