Security officers at Chepalungu in Bomet are investigating the death of a businessman allegedly roughed up by a police officer enforcing the Covid curfew.
Curfew begins at 10pm and the man was allegedly on his way home at 7pm, witnesses said.
The man who was receiving treatment at the Longisa County Referral Hospital in Bomet East died on Monday evening.
He had been hospitalised for two weeks.
Chepalungu subcounty police commander Nelson Masai confirmed the incident. He said though there was no formal complaint made by the businessman or anyone involved, police had started an investigation.
Masai spoke on Monday as irate residents staged a demonstration at Sigor Trading Centre where the violence is said to have taken place.
He said his officers will be questioning the named officer and other witnesses.
The residents were protesting against the death and increased cases of police harassment while enforcing Covid-19 protocols.
“We do not have any report made at any of the stations here but we are investigating it to know if the officer was indeed involved in the incident," Masai said.
He assured residents stern action will be taken against anyone found culpable. Masai said it was wrong for any officer to take advantage of the current Covid situation to harass the public.
Some residents told the Star the businessman was on his way home at 7pm when he was bludgeoned with a gun by the officer on patrol at the centre. Curfew begins at 10pm.
(Edited by V. Graham)
