Pregnant woman dies after allegedly being thrown out of moving police vehicle in Mwea

• The woman – Catherine Njeri - who was in the company of her husband, died from injuries sustained in the fall, while her husband suffered serious injuries.
• The incident triggered protests in the area, with police promising a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

File image of a police vehicle in a crime scene. PHOTO | COURTESY

Residents of Mugamba Ciura village in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, are demanding justice following the death of a pregnant woman who was allegedly thrown out of a moving police vehicle.

The woman – Catherine Njeri - who was in the company of her husband, died from injuries sustained in the fall, while her husband suffered serious injuries.

The incident triggered protests in the area, with police promising a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

The husband - Anthony Muturi Mugweru - says their early morning journey to tend to their miraa farm ended in tragedy after accepting a lift from a police vehicle. He alleges that the officers demanded to be paid some Ksh.1,000 after offering them the ride.

“Wakakataa kusimama wakatuambia lazima tutoe pesa ya mafuta, baada ya hapo nikagonga gonga mlango na tukaanza kupambania askari mmoja, na nilipokuwa nimeshika chuma wakanigonga gonga nikaacha control ya chuma nikaanguka kwa lami wakaenda mbio na bibi,” he recalled.

According to Antony, the officers in the vehicle also pushed his pregnant wife out of the speeding vehicle, she died almost instantly.

“Walikuwa wanasema ati ni gari imemgonga, nikasema si gari ni serikali ya Gitangi wakiwa na gari aina ya Mahindra hiyo gari inakimbia sana,” he said.

Residents say this is not the first time police officers from Wang’uru Police Station have allegedly demanded money from residents in exchange for lifts.

Alfred Mugomi said: “Tumepewa lift na hii gari tukiwa tumeenda kanisa…baada ya kufika kwa barabara tunaenda kuingia, tukasimamisha gari, dereva alisema hakuna stage ya barabara tufike mbele…tuliitishwa kila mtu mia tano mia tano na ni lift tulikuwa tumepewa.”

Now residents are demanding justice for the family.

Central Region Deputy Police Commander David Wambua says investigations have begun as the service seeks to establish the circumstances that led to Catherine’s death, with promises of stern and decisive action.

“Any person found culpable, be it the officer or any other person, the full force of the law will take effect in due cause…first action will be to interdict the officers if they are found to be culpable of the incident,” said Wambua.

The body of the deceased was eventually moved to the Embu Hospital Mortuary, while her husband was taken to hospital with serious injuries.