TEEN FACES BRUTALITY: 16 YEAR OLD ASSAULTED BY POLICE IN WATAMU

FAMILY CRIES FOR JUSTICE FOR THEIR KIN

A family in watamu is seeking justice after their son, a 16 year old student at barani secondary school was allegedly physically assaulted and severely injured by police officers at kizingo police station in malindi Sub County, when the boy was on his way home from school.

A family in watamu, malindi sub-county, is seeking justice after their kin was severely beaten by police officers and is now nursing serious injuries. The 16-year-old, a form three student at barani secondary school, was in a matatu on his way home from school when the incident occurred. He is reported to have had a disagreement with another passenger, after which the matatu conductor took him to kizingo police station.

While at the station, the boy was allegedly beaten with a wooden bar by police officers, who also denied him the opportunity to contact his parents.

“After an altercation in the matatu, the conductor accused me of being arrogant and took me to the police station,” the student said.

“My friends are currently doing examinations, but i have not been able to go to school because of the pain,” he added.

Speaking to the press, the boy’s mother expressed concern about whether her son will receive justice, given that the case is being handled at the same police station where he was assaulted. She revealed that it took an entire day for a police statement to be recorded. The mother is now appealing to the government to intervene and ensure justice is served for her son.

“I rushed there and was told my son was involved in an altercation in a matatu. At the station, i found that he had already been ‘disciplined’. However, they allowed me to take him home,” she said.

The next day, she said, they discovered he was unable to walk due to the injuries.

“We returned to the station to try and get the truth, write a statement and seek justice for my son. The officers were initially reluctant to record our statement in the occurrence book (ob), and it took a while before they finally agreed,” she said.

Maitha expressed concern over whether her firstborn son would ever receive justice.

“I ask the government to intervene. My son was still in school uniform when he was assaulted, and he has not been able to go to school since,” she said.

Joseph kiponda, a local businessman, told the press that he contacted the county commander, who assured him the matter would be looked into. Skiponda is calling for justice for the assaulted boy and is now urging the independent policing oversight authority (ipoa) to intervene and help prevent future misconduct by police officers at kizingo police station.

“The conductor and the police officer at kizingo are friends. The boy deserves justice. This is now the third day he hasn’t gone to school,” kiponda said.

The residents and the family now call upon the government to intervene in this matter as they await to see if justice shall indead be served.