A family in Sola is demanding answers after their kin died under unclear circumstances while in police custody. Koros was arrested over an alleged KSh 8,000 debt. The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, October 7, at Solai Police Post in Rongai Sub-county, has stirred anger and suspicion, with relatives alleging a cover-up by police officers. A report by the Nation reveals that Erick Kiptanui Koros was a boda boda rider known for his quiet nature and commitment to his work. The deceased was arrested following a disagreement with his business partner, who accused him of failing to repay KSh 8,000. What began as a minor financial dispute has now turned into a case of alleged injustice, leaving a grieving family searching for the truth about the 40-year-old man’s death. How did Erick Koros leave home?
According to his relative, Philip Kirongon, officers visited Koros’s home that afternoon and found him repairing his motorcycle. The family stated that the last time they saw him alive was when he was reportedly asked by the officers to accompany them to the station. Hours later, at around 8pm, police officers returned to the compound accompanied by the area chief. They asked Koros’s wife to go with them to the station, but did not explain their sudden summon. When she arrived, she was told her husband had died in the cell, allegedly by hanging himself using a piece of duvet fabric. The news shocked the family, who insist that Koros was in good health and had not shown any signs of distress while leaving home. “She was told that her husband had hanged himself using a strap of a duvet. He was okay when he left home; he was not sick or in distress.
He told his wife not to worry as he thought he would handle the situation and come back home later, but we were shocked that he was no more,” Kirongon stated. What is the official statement on Erick’s death? Rongai Sub-county Criminal Investigations Officer, Donatta Atieno, confirmed that the deceased was booked at the station around 3:30 pm. She said that about 30 minutes later, officers on duty found his lifeless body inside the police cell. “We’ll forward the matter to the Independent Policing and Oversight Authority. We are waiting for the family to record a statement,” she stated. Family members were later informed that the body had already been moved to the Nakuru City Mortuary. They now want an independent investigation to establish what happened to their kin inside the cell. The family pointed out that the deceased was a friend of the complainant, adding that they were at odds, explaining how the matter escalated.
“We will conduct a post-mortem to know what really transpired before he died. We were shocked when the wife called the rest of us to the station, only to be told that he is no more. They were friends; we do not know their business and how they ended up lending each other money,” Kirongon added. The family believes key details remain unexplained, including how a man arrested over debt could die within minutes of being placed in custody, stating that the police narrative does not add up.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
