Outrage after woman in police-boda boda drama dies in hospital

Outrage has greeted the death of a woman who was seriously injured when a police officer tried to stop the rider of a boda boda she was riding on.

Ms Margaret Njeri died Saturday evening at the Pandya Hospital in Mombasa where she has been admitted since the January 17 accident.

Sunday, Lamu Governor Issa Timamy vowed to ensure that justice is done adding that he was aware the offending officer had been moved from Mpeketoni Sub County to Kizingitini Police Station in Lamu East.

Mr Timamy, urged the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate and prosecute the officer.

“Using the butt of your gun to beat a citizen shows irresponsibility of the highest order.

"The police are meant to protect the citizens and not harm them. I will follow up on this matter and ensure justice prevails,” said Mr Timamy.

Lamu West MP Juilus Ndegwa said he was not satisfied with the manner in which the police were handling the matter.

INTERDICT POLICE OFFICER

Mr Ndegwa demanded that the officer be interdicted immediately, investigated and charged.

“We cannot let such inhumanity be done to our people. Why cause such pain and death to an innocent woman? The officer who did this should not be working in the first place. The lady has now died. Let investigations be done or else I will pursue the matter myself,” said Mr Ndegwa.

Lamu human rights campaigner Mr Julius Kimotho blamed the government for being silent on the matter.

Mr Kimotho said he will mobilize the community in Mpeketoni and the entire Lamu County and move to court this week to seek justice for Njeri’s death.

“I urge the police department to take immediate action against this officer. If this will not have been done by tomorrow (Monday), I will mobilize the community and head to court. We want justice; being silent on the part of the government is not right,” said Mr Kimotho.

Lamu Youth Alliance Chairperson Mr Walid Ahmed said it was improper for the police officer to continue working despite the fact that he has committed a crime.

Alexander Mutua, a Mpeketoni activist said they will organise peaceful demonstrations this week to have their cry of justice heard.

Mr Ibrahim Shahibu, the Chairman of the Lamu West Interfaith Forum condemned the move by the area police bosses to transfer the said police officer to Kizingitini in Lamu East Sub County instead of taking legal action against him.

“If the police can’t pursue this matter well, then let IPOA intervene, investigate and come up with a conclusive report. We want the culprit to be brought to book,” said Mr Shahibu.

Pastor Jacob Muroki of the Christ Exulted Church in Lamu Island condemned the act by the police calling it inhumane.

Lawyer George Wakahiu who was also Njeri’s boss said he had already written to the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko on February 9 and what they were waiting for was for Njeri to get well before they could proceed with the case.

“The lady has now died. What I ask is for the police to prosecute the officer. If this will not have been done by tomorrow, then I will go to the DPPs office myself. We want justice,” said Mr Wakahiu.