Three police officers are set to be arraigned on Monday, February 22, in connection to the death of a Chang’aa brewer who drowned after they chased her down, leaving her no option but to jump into a river.
In the incident that took place on April 30, 2020, Gladys Jebet Kiptoo was at her home in Korkitiny, Keiyo North in Elgeyo Marakwet County, when the trio based in Uasin Gishu County stormed the premises and dispersed her alleged illicit brew customers.
The three officers, identified as Nelson Kemboi, Constable Kennedy Bii and Constable Eric Magoma, were arrested over the weekend after the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) recommended a charge of manslaughter against them.
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On the fateful day, when she learnt what was happening at the home, Jebet sneaked out of her house and bolted as the officers chased her down.
They allegedly pursued her until she reached the bank of River Moiben in Kamaketoi, Keiyo North, where lacking options and refusing to surrender, she jumped into the river and unfortunately drowned.
Detectives drawn from Keiyo North launched investigations into the incident and the file was forwarded to the DPPs' office for perusal and advice last year.
On February 3, 2021, the DPP recommended that the officers be charged with the offense of manslaughter.
Under Section 213 of the Penal Code, a person is deemed to have caused the death of another person if by actual or threatened violence he causes the person to perform an act and which causes the death of such a person.
The action by the deceased should have been stopped if the officers avoided such violence or threat and the action of the suspect needs not to be an immediate or sole cause of death.
Simon Chesire, the woman's father, who has been following up on the matter, blamed the officers for his daughter's death.
He told the police during the investigations that on the fateful day, his daughter was fetching firewood in a thicket near their home when she suddenly disappeared.
Chesire accused the three officers of scaring off his daughter, accusing her of brewing chang’aa.
After the incident, the three officers were accused of going out of their area of jurisdiction in Uasin Gishu County and entering a territory that falls under the leadership of a different police boss.
“To date, it remains unclear under whose command the three officers crossed over from Uasin Gishu County to Elgeyo Marakwet County to conduct an illicit alcohol operation without informing their counterparts,” a sleuth attached to the DCI told K24 Digital.
