A family in the Ugenya sub-county is seeking justice after their 36-year-old relative was allegedly run over by a police car in West Ugenya.
According to the family, on December 28, 2023, a Police Land Cruiser on its way to carry out an auction exercise slammed into Austine Odhiambo, killing him as auctioneers attached their three in-calf calves.
According to Austin's father, Boniface Opondo, the dead died when police officers who arrived to execute the auction order allegedly dragged him before he fell and was run over by the Land Cruiser.
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He claims that the deceased had sought in vain to find out why the cows were being auctioned and had decided to take photos with his phone when one of the officers allegedly grabbed his hand while the van was going.
Mzee Opondo says that the deceased collapsed before being run over by the Land Cruiser's back tire. He was taken to the adjacent Ukwala sub-county hospital, where he died shortly after arriving.
Roseline Awino, the deceased's mother, said that they have been frustrated by security services in the region since the tragedy occurred.
Collins Otieno, Austin's younger brother, complains that when they went to the Ukwala police station to follow up on the case, they discovered that the statement had been twisted, prompting them to seek the assistance of the County Police Commander's office.
Enock Otieno, one of the neighbors who alleges that the officers did not even have a genuine auction order, accused the police of exceeding their mandate and thus called on top security authorities in the county and regionally to come to their aid to serve justice.
Oduor Odongo, a member of the County Assembly for West Ugenya Ward, who visited the family on Wednesday, condemned the entire affair and demanded justice. He swore to hold the responsible police officer accountable.
