Robert Mureithi was arrested for allegedly violating the social distancing rule effected to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Being unable to raise KSh 200 fine, he was transferred to Pangani Police Station, where he was to be processed to go to remand.

Isaac Ngotho said his brother, whose clothes were soaked in water, had bruises on his body and blood oozing around his head.

The body of a man who died in a cell at Pangani Police Station had visible injuries on his leg, wrists and arms, his family has disclosed.

Robert Mureithi was arrested on Thursday, July 8, at 7am for allegedly violating the social distancing rule effected to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The next day, he appeared virtually at Makadara Law Courts where he was slapped with KSh 200 fine or seven days in jail.

Being unable to raise the fine, he was transferred to Pangani Police, where he was to be processed to go to remand but unfortunately died on Sunday, July 11.

Fractured leg, head injuries

Mureithi’s brother Isaac Ngotho said he might have had a painful experience while in the cell. Ngotho said his brother, whose clothes were soaked in water, had bruises on his body and blood oozing around his head.

While speaking at City Mortuary on Monday, July 12, Ngotho added that the deceased had a fracture on his leg and his hands appeared to have been tied.

He said that he had travelled from the village to come and settle his KSh 200 fine. The deceased was a father of three and sold charcoal in Ngara, Nairobi.

According to Starehe police boss Julius Kiragu, Mureithi collapsed in the cell and was found on the morning of Sunday, July 11.

Kiragu said the officer commanding the station alerted the doctors of the incident, but the man had already died at the time of their arrival.

The tricenarian is suspected of having died following a scuffle among the inmates, an allegation that Kiragu denied.

He was supposed to appear before the court again on Friday, July 16, when he was expected to be released.