Crime scene
Police have provided an account of the death of Antony Ochieng, who died after being involved in a vehicle crash while allegedly fleeing from officers in the Githurai area of Nairobi.
The explanation comes amid calls for an independent investigation after allegations circulated that Ochieng had been arrested by officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Kasarani Police Station before his death.
Those raising concerns have alleged that Ochieng died in unclear circumstances and accused authorities of falsely portraying his death as the result of a road accident.
They have called for the officers allegedly involved to be arrested and prosecuted if investigations establish criminal responsibility.
Nairobi Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud, however, disputed the allegations, saying Ochieng died from injuries sustained in a road crash.
According to Mohamud, Ochieng and other suspects were fleeing after police officers detected them allegedly stealing in the area on September 21.
Police said the incident occurred at about 8:30 pm in the Sonic area, where patrol officers intercepted a Mazda CX-5, carrying five men.
The suspects were allegedly found offloading suspected stolen electronics at a second-hand shop operated by a trader identified only as “Pau”.
Police said the men returned to the vehicle and sped away after noticing the officers, triggering a chase through the area.
Ochieng allegedly lost control of the vehicle during the chase. The Mazda crashed into an electricity pole before plunging into a ditch, sustaining extensive damage.
Two of the occupants reportedly escaped on foot, while Ochieng sustained serious injuries.
He was taken to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
“I don’t think there was anyone who beat him as claimed,” Mohamud said, urging members of the public to allow investigations to establish what happened.
He said a postmortem would help determine the precise cause of death and guide further action.
Police said Crime Scene Investigation officers searched both the crash scene and the second-hand electronics shop and recovered 28 television sets, five home theatre systems, laptops, mobile phones, clothing, shoes and a gas cylinder.
A dagger and crowbar were also recovered, according to the police account.
Investigators are also tracing some of the recovered electronics to recent theft cases reported in the Central Region, suggesting that the suspects could be linked to a wider network involved in stealing electronic goods.
The recovered items have been secured at Kasarani Police Station, while the damaged Mazda remains at the station pending further investigations.
Police have launched a manhunt for the suspects who escaped, as well as the trader identified as “Pau”.
Meanwhile, Ochieng’s friends have called for a transparent investigation into the circumstances of his death, saying accountability should follow if any wrongdoing is established.
The competing accounts have placed renewed focus on the circumstances surrounding Ochieng’s death, particularly because he died after coming into contact with police.
An independent and transparent investigation, including the post-mortem examination and examination of the crash scene, is expected to help establish the sequence of events and the cause of death.
