The family of 20-year-old Eric Otieno, a boda boda rider from Mathare, is calling for justice after he died shortly following his release from police custody under suspicious circumstances.
Eric was arrested on Saturday, August 2, 2026, on allegations of preparing to commit a felony. According to his relatives, he was healthy at the time of arrest but was only released over 24 hours later, at 11 pm on Sunday, August 3, when the family was finally notified.
Disturbing Condition Upon Release
Upon picking him up from Muthaiga Police Station late Sunday night, Eric’s family found him severely injured. His brother reported that Eric complained of pain throughout his body, especially in his stomach, and claimed he had been beaten by five police officers.
The family rushed him to hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.
Postmortem and Family Response
Police confirmed Eric’s arrest and subsequent transfer to Mama Margaret Uhuru Hospital, where he was declared deceased. A postmortem reportedly revealed physical injuries and psychological trauma consistent with the family’s account.
Despite this, the family remains dissatisfied with the official findings and is demanding an independent autopsy to fully clarify the circumstances surrounding Eric’s death.
Community Concerns and Calls for Accountability
Residents who marched to the police station alongside the family voiced broader worries about the treatment of detainees in custody, citing this case as indicative of a troubling pattern of abuse.
As of now, authorities have not issued a public response addressing the family's allegations.
