Mother faints and dies after police steal Chama money
Police have launched an investigation into the death of a mother of five after two officers allegedly stole 30,000 Kenyan shillings she had collected from Chama, causing her to pass out.
Trans Nzoia County Police Commander Jecinta Wesonga confirmed the incident and announced that Scolastica Marada died shortly after two officers searched her home.
Vesonga said officers from the Kiminini police station accused of taking money from the deceased have been detained.
“We are aware of the death and have received reports that the two allegedly took money from the woman. The officers have been reprimanded as we look to establish the truth,” she stated.
The officers who raided the illegal brewery confronted Marada, who ran the illegal brewery for eight years, for allegedly asking for “cover charges,” according to the police report.
The deceased’s sister, Brenda, claimed that police ordered Marada to pay them a huge bribe, but she failed to negotiate the 1,000 Kuwaiti shillings. However, after a brief altercation, Marada reportedly broke into her home and was immediately followed by the two officers.
“She walked into the house and they followed her. An officer snatched my sister’s purse before leaving the house,” Brenda said.
Brenda and her other sister, Nekesa, entered the house immediately, only to find Marada in a state of grief – she had collapsed, lying helpless on the floor.
“Scola kept saying that the man with the glasses got rid of her. He took the 30,000 Kenyan shillings she had collected from her desk banking group,” Nekesa explained.
With the help of neighbors, they provided the victim with first aid before taking her to a local medical facility. She was announced on arrival, and her body was taken to the mortuary of the Church Hospital at the Kiminini Lodge.
The sister of the deceased told police that Marada had a heart attack and also suffered from high blood pressure or high blood pressure. They suspect an altercation with police may have sparked the attack.
News of her death sparked protests, with locals blocking the Kitale-Webuye highway to demand justice.