Three police officers arrested over death of chang’aa brewer

Three police officers were arrested during the weekend for causing the death of a woman who was a chang'aa brewer in Elgeyo Marakwet county.

The three are charged with raiding the woman's chang'aa den trying to arrest her.

Gladys Jebet Kiptoo, who was fleeing her home, drowned in a river on April 30, 2020.

According to officials, the case is unique and it should serve as a warning to the law enforcement agencies.

The local police opened an inquest and collected witness statements which they forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for action.

On February 3, 2021, the ODPP recommended that constables Nelson Kemboi, Kennedy Bii and Eric Magoma be charged with manslaughter contrary to section 202 as read with section 205 of the penal code.

The three officers await arraignment as they are under arrest. 

According to Section 213 of the Penal Code, Laws of Kenya, a person is deemed to have caused the death of another person if by actual or threatened violence he causes that person to perform an act and which causes the death of such person.

Commonly, in public places people are injured or at times die whenever law enforcement agencies raid in an operation.