NANYUKI, Kenya — The National Police Service (NPS) has said it has not received any formal complaint of misconduct related to the controversial death of a 24-year-old woman arrested during last week’s Saba Saba protests in Nanyuki.
Juliet Wangai Kariuki, also known as Julia Njoki, died on July 12 while undergoing treatment at a local hospital, days after she was arrested and charged following the nationwide anti-government demonstrations.
In a statement issued on Monday, NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said: “To date, no formal complaint has been recorded alleging any misconduct—whether by commission or omission.”
He added that relevant oversight agencies would still carry out “swift, transparent, and credible investigations into the matter, and accountability will follow.”
PRESS STATEMENT : CLARIFICATION REGARDING ONE JULIET WANGAI KARIUKI
Njoki was arrested on the evening of July 7 while on her way home, allegedly swept up in a group of protesters.
She was held overnight at the Nanyuki Police Station and arraigned the next day at the Nanyuki Law Courts, where she was charged with malicious damage to property.
She denied the charge but was remanded to Nanyuki Women’s Prison after failing to raise a Ksh50,000 cash bail.
According to the Kenya Prisons Service (KPS), Njoki began complaining of dizziness, headaches and stomach pain hours after being admitted to the facility.
She was first taken to Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital, before being transferred to Cottage Hospital for a CT scan.
She was admitted to the ICU and underwent emergency surgery, but passed away on July 12.
A preliminary medical report obtained by her family indicated that Njoki suffered blunt force trauma to the head—injuries consistent with a violent assault.
They suspect she was beaten while in police custody and are calling for the officers involved to be held accountable.
The incident has triggered protests in her hometown, where residents on Monday lit fires and barricaded the main road into Nanyuki, demanding justice for Njoki and the arrest of the officers allegedly involved.
A post-mortem is scheduled for next Tuesday to establish the exact cause of death.
Njoki’s case comes just weeks after the controversial death of schoolteacher and blogger Albert Ojwang’, who was tortured in custody at Nairobi’s Central Police Station in early June.
A post-mortem report revealed he died from multiple head injuries and neck compression, contradicting initial police claims that he hit his head against a wall.
