The family of a veterinary officer who was killed after being hit by a police car at Amerikwai market in the outskirts of Busia town more than a week ago has accused the government of denying them justice.
Caroli Omuse said since his wife Magdaline Mamai was killed on 21st August 2019 they have not received any communication from the police, “I was called only once and told by a police officer not to worry as the issue was being looked into.”
Mrs. Mamai who was Chakol division veterinary officer was knocked down on a boda boda by Kotur police vehicle while she was going to her place of work at Amerikwai market.
The motorist who was carrying her survived the accident and is recuperating at Busia County referral hospital, “Eyewitnesses know the driver who was driving the vehicle and is alleged to have been chasing another car carrying contraband goods when it caused the accident. I wonder whether the life of a human being is less important in the eyes of police officers in Kenya,” Omuse said.
Benjamin Emukule, another family member, wonders where they will seek justice if the police officers who are supposed to maintain law and order are the ones breaking it, “We didn’t expect this from the police because these are people entrusted with ensuring the law is maintained but here they are trying to defeat justice.”
Apart from arresting and arraigning in court the police officer who caused the accident, the family also expected the police to help them cater for hospital and funeral expenses, “We expected the government to help us pay hospital bills including the postmortem and funeral expenses but we received nothing which is so disheartening.”
The late Mamai was buried at her home at Mairo village in Teso south sub county on Saturday 31st August 2019.
Omuse has termed the loss of his wife as a big blow to the family, “I have lost a very important person in my family. We used to work to together in managing this home and we had our own way of managing affairs in this family. I feel deep sorrow for losing her and I don’t know how I will manage without her. Even as am talking there is one of our children who is set to report to university this September and I don’t know where I will get money because the funeral has disorganized everything.”
They are now appealing to the government through Ministry of Interior to come in and ensure they get justice.