A boda boda rider from Mathare, Eric Otieno, died shortly after being released from Muthaiga Police Station, with his family accusing police officers of torture and demanding a KSh 10,000 bail while he was in critical condition.
Arrest and Deterioration in Custody
Otieno was arrested on Saturday, August 2, 2026, on allegations of preparing to commit a felony. He was held at Muthaiga Police Station and released late at night on Sunday, August 3. When family members arrived to pick him up, they found him in severe pain and distress, despite being healthy prior to the arrest.
Family’s Account of Abuse and Bail Demand
Emmanuel Sakis, Eric's elder brother, revealed that Eric was visibly suffering and claimed that five arresting officers had beaten him while in custody. Eric reportedly called his brother to inform him that police had released him on condition of paying a KSh 10,000 cash bail, urging the family to raise the money promptly.
“He was crying that his body, including the stomach, was aching,” Sakis said. “He told me the officers who arrested him were the ones who beat him.”
Postmortem Findings
The postmortem examination confirmed that Eric Otieno died from massive internal bleeding caused by abdominal trauma. The injuries included a ruptured spleen and damage to the bowel, which led to fatal hemorrhaging.
Calls for Accountability and Reforms
Human rights advocates have urged Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to fulfill his promise of installing CCTV cameras in all police stations. They also demand that the five officers implicated in the incident be held responsible for the death of Eric Otieno.
