Githurai chase: Police deny killing burglary suspect in custody

Kasarani Police have denied allegations that a burglary suspect died while in their custody, maintaining that he succumbed to severe injuries sustained before his arrest.

The deceased, identified as Antony Ochieng Otieno, was the driver of a getaway vehicle that crashed during a dramatic police chase in Githurai 44, Nairobi.

As his family demands answers ahead of a postmortem examination, authorities say they have also uncovered a sophisticated, cross-regional criminal syndicate allegedly behind a string of burglaries targeting residents across Nairobi and the Central Region.

CCTV footage captured the suspects as they broke into several houses in Karatina on Sunday, making away with valuables. But what they did not know was that their trail would lead detectives to Githurai 44, six hours later.

The suspects were cornered as they allegedly offloaded the stolen goods at a local shylock shop. Sensing trouble, they sped off, triggering a dramatic police chase through the estate.

But their escape was short-lived. The getaway vehicle lost control, struck a child and crashed into an electricity pole. The aftermath of the accident was devastating.

A look at the wreckage tells the story of the force of the impact. While two of the suspects managed to escape, the driver, Antony Ochieng Otieno, was arrested and rushed to hospital.

Police say Otieno later died upon arrival at Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital.

“Hao maofisa wanajua kile kitu kimeua mtoto wangu, na mimi ninaomba justice itendeke, kifo ya mtoto yangu nijue ni nini ilitendeka...hata kama alikuwa na makosa, kuna law,” said Otieno’s mother Pamela Ndira.

But as Antony Ochieng’s family comes to terms with his death, the trail of destruction left behind by the alleged syndicate is becoming clearer.

The child who was knocked down suffered a broken leg, while several other bystanders are still recovering from injuries sustained during the chase.

“Kidogo nikabishiwa mlango, kushuka chini nikapata mtoto ako hapa amegongwa na agri....hapo kulikuwa na huyo driver amelala chini, ashagonga post ya stima na gari imeanguka huko...mimi nikakimbiza mtoto hospitali,” the father to the injured child Peter Maina stated.

A search of the vehicle and the shop uncovered more evidence — more than 40 television sets, stolen CCTV cameras, fake number plates and housebreaking tools.

At Kasarani Police Station, a victim from Karatina identified her stolen laptop using the fingerprint lock.

“Ilikuwa Sunday kama tuko church, walionekana kwa CCTV wakivunja nyumba kadhaa kwa plot na wakaiba vitu...mimi nimeweza kupata laptop, vitu za nyumba n,k...ninaamini ni hao walituibia...niliona online na nikaona hiyo gari ndio ilitumika,” said the victim.

Police say the syndicate shuttled stolen goods between Nairobi and the Central Region, using this Githurai shop as a key outlet.

Detectives are now hunting the shop owner and other accomplices, as Antony’s family awaits a postmortem to establish how he died.