Police in Bomet county are on the spot over the death of a student who was ejected out of a speeding police car on Sunday.
Benard Rono, 23, died at Longisa Referral hospital where he was being treated after being pushed out of a police Land Rover.
County police commandant Leah Kithei denied reports that Rono was thrown out of the car by the officers, saying he willfully jumped out while being taken to Chebunyo police station for questioning.
She said he sustained serious head injuries and was rushed to a clinic by the officers, where he was treated and referred to the hospital.
Kithei said the police should not be presumed liable for foul play until the matter is investigated.
“We would like to urge the family and members of the public to be patient as investigations are concluded and not to hype the matter because our officers have taken it up,” said Kithei.
The reports by the police, however, conflict those of witnesses.
Rono’s brother Kiprotich, said police mistook him for a dealer operating a fuel shop illegally and arrested him.
Kiprotich said he together with some residents pursued the police car on a motorbike and pleaded for his brother’s release.
He said the officers roughed up Rono before throwing him out of the speeding car.
This is the third incident in the region in a span of five months, where suspects have died in the hands of police.
In April, Administration Police officers at Kapkwen in Bomet beat up a suspect and locked him in their cells where he died.
A motorcyclist hit by a police vehicle on the Silibwet-Kapkoros road died on the spot.
None of the accused officers have been brought to book.
The star
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