Lawyers claim suspect tortured, denied food in police custody

Lawyers representing a suspect in a SIM swap case says his client has been tortured in police custody and left hungry for two days.

Felix Kiprono, one of the lawyers representing David Mutai, claims officers attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have been inhuman to his client since he was arrested and detained at Muthaiga Police Station.

“Our client has been denied food for two days. When the information reached us, we purchased food and took it to the station but we were never allowed to see him,” Nation.Africa quotes Kiprono.

The legal practitioner further claimed the food never reached his client.

He also pointed out that the suspect was also denied a chance to meet his lawyer.

Kiprono claimed the suspect is yet to record any statement since being arrested last week in Kericho County.

The lawyer told journalists he would oppose any attempts by the DCI to continue holding Mutai.

A second lawyer, Philip Langat, also noted that the police had shown signs akin to denial of rights. He urged the police to respect the rule of law and allow the suspect his due rights.

“The current government has always maintained that the rule of law must be followed as a matter of course. We will follow the law and seek justice without fear or favor,” he said.

Langat said their client’s case was an example of a suspect being condemned unheard.

According to the DCI, Mutai was arrested following an incident where a lawmaker lost Sh941,000 while he was out of the country on official duties in an incident that happened between December 1 and 2, 2022.

Two other alleged accomplices identified as Justus Rono and Kevin Kiplagat have also been arrested.