A first year Multimedia University student captured on camera being brutally beaten by police suffered serious injuries that led to dislocation of his right leg.
Trevor Mureithi who is currently admitted at Rongai Orthopedic centre recounted how he was in his hostel and some colleagues when police threw a tear gas canister at them.
As he and others fled to safety, he fell into a ditch, injuring his leg. Despite his injury, the police pounced on him, beating him mercilessly.
“I thought the hostel would be the safest place for us, but the police threw a tear gas canister at us. As I was running, I fell into a ditch. They followed me to the ditch and started beating me,” Mureithi who is studying Applied Communication at the university recalled from his hospital bed. When he informed them that he couldn’t walk, they dragged him out of the ditch, causing him severe pain.
Teach him a lesson
Mureithi says even his screams as a result of the pain did not deter the brutal officers from showering kicks on him as they dragged him on the hard surface.
One officer, determined to “teach him a lesson,” threw another tear gas canister, which exploded near his head.
“I told the police I couldn’t walk, but they insisted on torturing me while telling me to die quickly . They beat me mercilessly. One of them kept saying, ‘this is the one.’ As they insisted on beating me, I just asked them to kill me that is when one cop advised the others to leave me. One of them, however, insisted on giving me ‘dawa.’ Immediately, they threw a tear gas canister, which exploded next to my head,” Mureithi recounted. Although National Police Service Spokesperson Dr Resila Onyango, expressed disgust at the officers’ action and promised to issue a detailed statement on the matter, she was yet to act by the time of going to press .
The officers’ actions elicited condemnation from human rights activists and students’ leaders who called for speedy investigations.
“We gather here not only to express our outrage but demand accountability. Trevor’s injury is a clear violation of his rights and blatant example of excessive force used against peaceful protestors. No one should have fear for their safety while exercising their right to free speech,” said Robert Cheruiyot from Multimedia university.
He added: “How many more students must suffer before our voices are heard? We cannot allow fear to dictate our actions. We must gather and be united against these injustices.”
Similarly, the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) said it had commenced investigations and would disclose the progress in due course. It said their investigation will delve into the manner in which the police handled the teargas, which the Authority said was deployed recklessly.
“IPOA reiterates that members of the National Police Service (NPS) should discharge their mandate professionally and responsibly in accordance with Article 244 of the Constitution,” it added.
“Upon conclusion of the investigation, IPOA will recommend action, including but not limited to prosecution of officers if culpability is established,” the statement read.
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) yesterday condemned the attack on Mureithi, saying the impunity being displayed by the police must come to an end.
Instil more injuries
“Trevor was limping and lifting his left leg in pain meaning he most likely needed medical attention and the police officers should have had the humanity to assess the same and act accordingly but instead went ahead to instil more injuries that has led to his hospitalisation,” the Commission said. KNCHR has also ordered for immediate investigations and urged the police service to take full responsibility for Trevor’s medical care as a means of reparations to him and his family.
“The National Police Service should heavily invest in mental wellness of officers to ensure they perform their policing duties while in the right state of mind and with respect to the rule of law,” they added.
