Embu family cries for justice after man killed by police vehicle

A family in Mbuinjeru, Embu East is crying for justice after their relative was killed in an accident allegedly caused by a police toyota landcruiser.

Daniel Murithi, 44, met his death after his motorcycle collided with the police vehicle in Kirigi along Manyatta-Kianjokoma road on Tuesday evening.

Murithi's brother Moses Nyaga Kamunti said witnesses said the police vehicle attached to Embu North subcounty hit his brother and sped off.

Kamunti spoke on Friday at their home in Mbuinjeru.

"My brother was hit and the police vehicle sped off. They didn't even bother to rush him to hospital, maybe my brother's life could have been saved," he said.

Kamunti said his brother was left lying by the roadside in agony until well-wishers rushed him to Embu Level 5 Hospital about 10 kms away.

"He succumbed while receiving treatment, shortly after arriving," he said.

The family reported the matter at Ngimari police station, which is the nearest station to the accident scene but the officers told them the police vehicle and the motorcycle had been collected by the Embu West traffic commandant.

Kamunti said police at Ngimari police station in Manyatta took them in circles upon enquires about the investigation.

“On Thursday, we went to the station to record our statement and found that the officer who had allegedly caused the accident, had already recorded his but we were denied details of his statement.

"We were requested to come back later and present the deceased's driving license, ID, insurance for the motorcycle, which was on the motorcycle and cash for a postmortem,” he said.

Murithi wife Wincate Mukami, 35, narrated her last conversation with the husband before his death.

She said Murithi left home for Embu town, to purchase a tuk-tuk wheel since he largely depended on the vehicle for transport business.

Mukami said Murithi left home at around 4pm and didn't return.

"I had asked him why he was travelling late but he told me he had engaged the dealer, who told him he would close shop at 7pm.

"He said there was enough time to go and return home, of which he never came back," she said.

The family is calling for justice to be served for Daniel Murithi who hails from Mbogori in Mbuinjeru, about three kilometres from Kianjokoma.

This comes as two brothers from Kianjokoma allegedly died at the hands of police, a year ago.

Embu North deputy county commissioner William Owino said the driver who allegedly caused the accident avoided an attack from residents but went ahead and reported to the police.

"The area didn't have bumps and the driver avoided an attack from an angry mob. He, however, rushed to the nearby police station and reported the incident," he said.

The commisioner said the case is with the police and the process to serve the family with the deserved justice is ongoing.

Murithi has left a distraught wife and two children, a 15-year-old who is in Form 1 and a three-year-old who would have joined school next term, all of whom were depending on him.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)