Three police officers arrested over Mercy Cherono saga

Three police officers have been arrested following public outrage over the Mercy Cherono saga.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the trio were arrested on Wednesday.

“The suspects are in lawful custody helping with further investigations into the matter,” DCI said.

During the incident, Cherono sustained serious injuries including a broken leg.

Reports indicate that the officers only stopped assaulting her after an elderly man intervened.

She was taken to Olenguruone Sub County Hospital and later transferred to the Nakuru Provincial General Hospital.

Earlier on Thursday, Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya and the regional police boss Marcus Ochola visited Cherono at the hospital.

Natembeya warned that those involved will be prosecuted but added that Cherono will also be expected to answer to the alleged theft charges once she recuperates.

It is alleged that the officers descended on her after she and two others tried to steal from the house of a deputy OCS.

Two of her accomplices reportedly escaped with Ksh.10,000, police uniform, a TV set and a sub-woofer.

Cherono was apparently found locked up in the bathroom inside the house.

Meanwhile, the Mercy Cherono saga continued to draw outrage on social media with Kenyans demanding justice.

Governor Ngilu termed the act as utterly disgusting and among many cases of violence against women that go unnoticed or deliberately ignored everyday.

“We demand SWIFT & UNCOMPROMISING JUSTICE FOR MERCY. All those involved must be brought to book,” she said on Twitter.

On her part, Wanga termed it as despicable and heinous brutality that must be condemned in the strongest terms possible.

“The responsible officer(s) should face the full force of the law,” she said.

On Wednesday, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said they are conducting a parallel probe.

Cherono’s incident comes on the backdrop of increased complaints of police brutality in the country.