A young life has been lost in controversial circumstances at a Nairobi police station. Jack Leon Matoke, a 23-year-old boda boda rider, was arrested last Thursday.
He was booked into the Kawangware police station in Nairobi.
Tragically, less than four hours later, he was dead. His body was later found cold at the City Mortuary.
The family is now demanding transparency and justice regarding the events that unfolded during his brief detention.
The Brief Detention
According to a report by Citizen TV, Jack Matoke was detained at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 11th.
The arrest took place in Nairobi. By 10:50 p.m., police confirmed his death. This means Jack was in police custody for under four hours.
The short timeframe before his death raises serious questions about what happened. Police claimed they rushed the young man to Kenyatta Hospital. He was reportedly pronounced dead upon arrival there.
Official Narrative Disputed
The official police account suggests that Jack died by suicide. They claim he used a t-shirt to hang himself while in custody.
The family, however, firmly disputes the police narrative. They point to significant inconsistencies in the official version of events.
ALSO READ: From Migori to Nairobi: The Final Hours of Teacher Albert Ojwang Who Died in Police Custody
The family found that Jack’s body was still fully dressed.
Crucially, he was discovered wearing his full motorcycle riding gear. This observation directly contradicts the claim that he used a t-shirt to strangle himself.
The whereabouts of the alleged t-shirt used in the claimed suicide remain unknown. One family member questioned why the t-shirt has not been made available to anyone.
A Child Left Fatherless
Matoke is survived by his young family. He leaves behind a daughter who is just two years old.
“A child is fatherless. And A mother is left to mourn and fight for justice.”
Demands for Independent Inquiry
The grieving family, together with Vocal Africa CEO, Hussein Khalid, is now calling for a full, independent investigation.
They also insist on a post-mortem examination. The results are necessary to establish the true cause of Jack’s sudden death.
This incident adds to a troubling pattern seen across the country. Reports of deaths in custody have become increasingly frequent over the last few months.
The sources note that such reports are received almost every other week. This tragedy highlights the ongoing necessity to scrutinise police detention protocols and procedures.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!