"Alikuwa Sawa" Pain as Nakuru Bodaboda Rider Arrested Over Ksh 8000, Dies In Police Cells Hours After Booking

A family in Solai, Nakuru County, is demanding answers after their relative, a humble boda boda rider, died mysteriously while being held at a local police station.

Forty-year-old Erick Kiptanui Koros was arrested earlier this week over an alleged KSh 8,000 debt dispute with a business associate. 

According to his relatives, Koros was healthy and in good spirits when police officers picked him up from his home on Tuesday afternoon. He was reportedly fixing his motorcycle when the officers arrived.

Later that evening, at around 8 p.m., police officers and the area chief visited Koros’s home again — this time to inform his wife that her husband had died in custody. 

They claimed he had taken his own life using a piece of duvet fabric. The news shocked the family, who say there was no sign that Koros was depressed or troubled before his arrest.

“He was calm and even told his wife not to worry. He said he would come back after clearing the issue,” said his cousin, Philip Kirongon. 

“We cannot understand how a simple debt matter turned into death.”

The family insists that Erick was not the kind of person to harm himself, and they now suspect foul play. 

They are calling for an independent investigation to uncover what really happened inside the Solai Police Post.

Rongai Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer Donatta Atieno confirmed the incident, saying the deceased was booked into custody at around 3:30 p.m. 

She added that 30 minutes later, officers allegedly found him lifeless inside the cell. 

“We will forward the case to the Independent Policing Oversight Authority for investigation,” she said.

The body was later transferred to Nakuru City Mortuary, awaiting a post-mortem examination.