- According to the father Ngala Chamtu, they want their son’s body for burial and nothing else.
- However, the assistant area chief Jackson Karisa Chengo claimed that the deceased was beaten because of a woman.
Image: SHABAN OMAR
The family of the slain 23-year-old man at Kazamoyo village in Samburu, Kwale County are demanding the immediate release of his body for burial.
The deceased, Nyae Ngala Chamtu, died after he was allegedly beaten by GSU officers on Friday morning. He succumbed to multiple body injuries.
According to the father Ngala Chamtu, they want their son’s body for burial and nothing else.
“They killed him, that's fine, just give me my son. I have no business with whoever did it,” he said.
The father said he has no energy following cases that will take years to settle and get justice.
He said the family would be at ease once they lay the deceased in a proper burial.
The father said their son had received enough torture and injustice and it would be good if the police gave them his body.
“My son is lying in the mortuary, now that you know who is responsible and you are all here, kindly make arrangements on how I can get the body,” he said.
Ngala said it is very painful to lose a child at a tender age adding that it is a big blow to the family.
The father said the residents have lost trust in the security apparatus since the people responsible for their safety are the ones harming them.
He said the vice would continue to spread if appropriate and stern actions, won’t be taken to condemn the tragedy.
“Today it has happened to my son, tomorrow they will do it to someone else. This is very wrong and unacceptable,” he said.
The deceased was taken to the Samburu Subcounty mortuary for autopsy but the body is being held by police for further investigations.
A government pathologist is expected to carry out the postmortem.
County police commander Stephen Ng’etich called for calmness and urged residents to shun violence.
He said appropriate actions have been taken for justice to prevail.
Ng’etich said police investigations are underway and asked the family to remain patient and provide information that will help in finding justice.
“I know it’s very painful and a trying moment for you, we are in this together and I promise justice will be served,” he said.
Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo ordered the closure of the nearby makeshift GSU camp and activities conducted by a private developer.
He linked the incident to the ongoing protracted land dispute between the developer and residents.
Kombo said the GSU camp has caused more harm than good in the area.
“County police commander, we want this camp to be closed within 24 hours and let the private developer park all the tractors until the issue is resolved,” he said.
However, the assistant area chief Jackson Karisa Chengo claimed that the deceased was beaten because of a woman.
Chengo said the GSU officer alleged that Nyae had assaulted a woman and injured her.
Area OCPD Fredrick Ombaka, however, insisted that people should observe peace since investigations are ongoing.
He said once the police are through with the probe, a proper long-lasting solution will be found.
On Saturday, Chengo claimed that the GSU officers raided the village and took Nyae, from their home before beating him.
Chengo said, according to the villagers, the officers randomly kicked and whipped Nyae as he tried to stand.
The local administrator said the GSU officers later left him after his mother and some of the relatives surrendered.
"His mum and sisters couldn’t bear the torture and had to kneel and put their hands up asking for forgiveness,'' he said.
Chengo said Nyae sustained serious injuries since he bled through the nose and mouth.
He said the ribs were also hurt and the lower body part had swollen heavily which contained several body cuts running from the head to the legs.
Chengo said the deceased died on the way to the hospital.
Image: SHABAN OMAR