Police authorities in Kenya have suspended two officers over their alleged roles in the deaths of two brothers while in custody.
The brothers, 22-year-old Benson Ndwiga and Emmanuel Ndwiga, 19, were on their way home on August 1 when police officers enforcing curfew arrested them at the Kianjakoma shopping centre in Embu, Central Kenya.
Their bodies were later found at Embu Level 5 Hospital Mortuary on August 3.
The officers – Adullahi Yaya and Emily Ngaruiya – claimed that the two brothers died after jumping out of a police vehicle to escape arrest.
However, an autopsy revealed that they died of injuries inflicted by a blunt object. It showed that the victims had multiple injuries to their heads and elbows.
In a statement on Monday, Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai revealed that action had been taken against the officers involved in the killing.
The announcement comes after a public outcry by Kenyans online using the hashtag #JusticeForKianjokomaBrothers. They also demanded the resignation of the Minister of Interior & Coordination of National Government, Fred Matiang’i as well as the IGP.
“Good morning, first, my sincere condolences to the Kianjokama family. IPOA has concluded investigations into the matter and forwarded the file to the DPP for action. Meanwhile, all the officers have been suspended with immediate effect to pave the way for prosecution,” Mutyambai wrote on Twitter.
“I assure you that justice for the Kianjokoma brothers will be served, but this can only be done if we allow the proper due process to take place with concrete evidence that can stand a trial in the court of justice.”
The brothers were buried on August 13.
On the day of their burial, President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered security officials to investigate how the duo died at police hands.