A decision by a couple to take a lift in a police vehicle at Mugambaciura village in Kirinyaga County turned tragic after a pregnant woman died and her husband sustained injuries after allegedly falling out of the moving vehicle.
Mr Anthony Muturi and his pregnant wife, Catherine Mwende, were involved in the fatal incident when they were allegedly thrown out of the moving vehicle after they failed to part with the Sh1, 000 demanded by two police officers.
Mwende and her unborn baby succumbed to their injuries at the scene, while Muturi suffered hand and leg injuries. He was taken to hospital, where he was treated and discharged.
According to Muturi, they were going to the farm to pick miraa on Friday when a police vehicle stopped and the officers offered them a lift.
On arrival at their destination, the couple asked the officers to stop so that they could alight.
However, the officers allegedly refused, demanding to be paid Sh1, 000 as a token of appreciation.
The couple said they had no money, and a bitter argument ensued.
Muturi recalled that it was the officers who had volunteered to offer them a lift and said they should not have kicked them out of the vehicle.
“When boarding the vehicle, the officer did not tell us we were to pay for the ride. We were shocked when they started demanding money upon arrival at our destination,” said Mr Muturi.
“I lost my wife and my unborn baby, and the officers responsible for the crime should be held responsible,” said Mr Muturi.
Residents condemned the incident, accusing the police of mistreating residents after offering them lifts.
Pastor Ephantus Mwangi said the police behaved badly and should be thoroughly investigated, with legal action taken against those found culpable.
“As residents, we demand that legal action be taken against the four police officers,” said Pastor Mwangi.
Following the incident, angry residents blocked the Piai-South Ngariama road and chased away security officers who had come to the scene to collect the body.
They complained that police had been mistreating residents after offering them lifts and should not be spared.
“Recently, the officers offered us a lift and asked us to pay Sh500,” said one of the residents, Mr Alfred Muthomi.
Lawrence Mugo, a boda boda rider, said he could not believe what he saw when he found the dead woman and the injured man lying on the road.
Former Kirinyaga Deputy Governor Peter Ndambiri condemned the incident and called on the police to investigate the matter.
Mwea East Sub-County Police Commander Henry Gitonga said investigations had been launched to establish the truth of the matter and urged residents to be patient.
