A family Kaningo location in Tseikuru District of Kitui want police and Ipoa to punish the policemen who allegedly manhandled and injured a relative.
Muinde Musyoka, of Kithayoni village in Kaningo, said his 20-year-old son Joseph Masika on Tuesday last week was arrested. The offense was not disclosed.
He said when the young man was taken to Kaningo police station, three policement set on him with kicks and blows.
Speaking on Saturday, Musyoka said he was bitter that when the police arrested Masika, his second born son, for whatever offence, they assaulted him instead of taking him to court.
“Beating and injuring my son and rendering him unable to walk on his own was the height of inhumanity by the police.
"The police authorities and Ipoa should punish the policemen for taking the law into their own hands and being brutal,” he said.
Musyoka said although the police initially took his injured son to a private clinic Kaningo soon after beating him on Tuesday, the have since refused to cater for further treatment costs.
“My son is now suffering at home as my family is poor and hunger-stricken. We do not have money to take him to hospital,” he added.
He wants the policemen who beat his son to meet the medical costs until he recovers fully.
The alleged victim now walks with a painful distinct limp and the cane and said the attack was unprovoked.
“When they arrested me from our shamba, I remained calm and cooperative. They took me to the Kaningo police station on a motorbike.
"However, I was surprised when the policemen started beating me once we arrived at the station,” he said.
He said that although he was arrested by one policeman, two other policemen joined in to beat and manhandle him.
“The slapped me. They kicked me everywhere and hit me all over with a cane. When they were done, I could not hear properly and could not walk as I was injured in the hips.
The MCA for Tseikuru, Kimanzi Muange, who is a neighbour to the family seeking help, said on Sunday that he was aware of the incident although he did not have details.
“I would only request that the matter be thoroughly investigated for the truth to come out,” the MCA said.
The Tseikuru subcounty police commander, Charles Kibathi said on Sunday morning the incident had been brought to his attention.
He said when he got information about on the alleged assault he dispatched the Kaningo OCS to visit the victim and access the extent of injury.
“What I can tell you is that the victim is not as seriously injured as alleged.
"We have however asked the family to ensure he is treated and a P3 form filled by the medic who attends to him,” he said.
Kibithi said that once it is established that it was a straightforward case of assault, the concerned policemen will be arraigned in court for the offence.
He however said if the matter becomes complicated an inquest file would be opened.
The Star had learned that the incident was reported at Kaningo police station and recorded in the daily Occurrence Book on last Friday as OB No. 05/17/02/2023 three days after the alleged assault happened.
(Edited by V. Graham)