Court acquits three police officers charged with torturing suspect in Homa Bay cell

Three police officers accused of torturing a suspect in a Homa Bay cell can now breathe a sigh of relief after being acquitted of the charges.

While giving her judgment on the case filed three years ago, Migori Senior Principal Magistrate Naomi Wairimu said the prosecution failed to convince the court that the officers, Peter Langat, Peter Nyakundi, and Gilbert Aleka tortured Edward Ondieki Amayo, a pub operator in Rodi Kopany, Homa Bay County, for allegedly being in possession of stolen items.

Amayo, the plaintiff, accused the trio of torturing him in a police cell by suspending him upside down between two tables and flogging the soles of his feet.

Lawyers representing the victim from the International Justice Mission Kenya (IJM-K) expressed their disappointment with the judgment.

"I find it difficult to fathom that even the court will fail to note that an accused person complained of injuries when presented before the court. In the circumstances presented before the court, I’m not convinced beyond any reasonable doubt, as is required, that the accused committed the crime. I will therefore accordingly acquit the accused persons of the offence of torture as stipulated in the law,” Migori Senior Principal Magistrate, Naomi Wairimu said.