The family of robbery suspect Sylvester Mwenda is crying out for justice after his death just three days after his arrest by individuals claiming to be police in Kinna-Meru, Meru County. His widow Glory Gatwiri has described how he was taken without explanation and killed, while police claim he was lynched by a mob. Officer Abednego Kavoo confirmed his arrest but details of the death differ.
Sylvester Mwenda, aged 30, was arrested on Friday by men who identified themselves as officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Maua, without providing details of his offense. They took him along with his Toyota Probox vehicle. His widow Glory Gatwiri visited the Maua police station on Saturday but was not allowed to see him.
Later that day, the officers took Mwenda to his farm in Kinna-Meru, where they arrested his brother, a reserve police officer. They seized four family goats, claiming they were for Christmas celebrations. Gatwiri said Mwenda appeared tortured and badly injured.
On Monday, the family sought him at the Maua court but he was absent. They checked the Maua and Mutuati police stations and were told he was not there. They reported the incident at Maua station and received OB number 70/22/12/2025.
On December 22, Mwenda's body was found in the mortuary of Nyambene Level Four Hospital. His brother-in-law Richard Kamencu said police claimed he was killed by a mob, questioning how that was possible while in their custody.
However, Crime Investigation Officer (CCIO) Abednego Kavoo stated that Mwenda was lynched by a mob in Kinna-Meru at 12 noon on Saturday while leading officers to identify more suspects. Mwenda was suspected in robbery cases in the Igembe and Tigania areas. The family continues to seek justice against the officers.
