The investigation into the death of 19-year-old boda boda rider Erick Otieno has now been handed over to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), as questions continue to grow over the circumstances surrounding his death after being held at Muthaiga Police Station.
The National Police Service (NPS) confirmed the development on Wednesday, saying the matter is now under independent investigation.
In a statement shared with the Media, NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had initially launched investigations immediately after receiving a report of Otieno’s death.
He added that the case has since been transferred to IPOA, which is mandated to investigate complaints involving police officers.
“Upon receiving the report of his passing, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations promptly initiated inquiries to establish the full circumstances surrounding this tragic incident. The investigations have now been taken over by the Independent Policing Oversight Authority,” Nyaga stated.
Otieno, who was a boda boda rider from Mathare in Nairobi, is said to have been arrested along Thika Road before being detained at Muthaiga Police Station.
Reports indicate that after he was released from police custody, he was taken to Mama Margaret Uhuru Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
His family has accused police officers of assaulting him while he was in custody. They also claim that despite Otieno complaining of injuries, officers allegedly failed to allow him to seek medical treatment. The National Police Service has not yet responded directly to those allegations.
A post-mortem examination carried out on Tuesday revealed that Otieno died from internal bleeding caused by a ruptured spleen resulting from blunt force trauma.
According to the lawyer representing his family, the examination also found injuries stretching from his chest to his abdomen as well as injuries on his ankle.
The findings have raised fresh questions about what happened during the period Otieno was in police custody. Reports further indicate that he was never presented before a court before his death. It also remains unclear what offence he had been arrested for or what charges, if any, he was facing at the time of his detention.
The case has attracted widespread public attention, with political leaders and human rights organisations demanding a thorough investigation and accountability.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino was among those who spoke out following the release of the post-mortem findings. In a statement shared on social media, he called for swift action from the police leadership.
“We condemn the death of Erick Otieno, a boda boda rider from Mathare, who succumbed to injuries while in police custody. We call on the IG of Police to initiate immediate investigations into this matter and ensure all responsible parties are held accountable,” Owino wrote.
Rights organisation VOCAL Africa also said it was closely monitoring the investigation and urged authorities to ensure justice is served. The group called for a transparent investigation to establish exactly what happened before Otieno’s death.
As investigations continue under IPOA, the National Police Service has appealed to the public to remain calm and allow investigators to complete their work. The service also encouraged anyone with information that could assist the investigation to come forward.
In its statement, NPS said, “We urge members of the public to remain calm and avoid speculation, and to continue cooperating with the investigators by providing any relevant information.”
The outcome of the IPOA investigation is expected to provide more clarity on the events leading to Otieno’s death and determine whether any further legal action will be taken.