The arrests and beatings over Covid rules

Twelve young people were arrested Tuesday evening in what police said was flouting Covid-19 regulations and loitering aimlessly in Tseikuru town.

Speaking only to Mwingi Times, the youths recounted the terrific scenes they endured in the hands of police on the fateful night.

Those who could were able to part with Sh200 to buy their freedom but the majority did not afford the money. As a consequence, they rotted away in police cells awaiting to be charged at Kyuso law courts.

When they appeared before the magistrate on the next day, one suspect named Silas Musili said he parted with Sh500 which was fine imposed by government for those arrested.

“I paid punch to get out. Everyone was charged differently”, said Musili who revealed that his aunt came to his rescue when she learnt he was picked up by police.

Not to go down without a fight, Silas blamed the disciplined forces for enforcing curfew regulations before 11pm saying they were rounded up some minutes to 10pm. They (police) accused Silas of looking suspicious and standing on the road without anything to do.

Peter Muthengi was able to escape the hawk-eyed police officers. But not without bruises on his knees and severally torn trousers. He says that Tseikuru police officers intimidate youths without any apparent reason. Mostly, those who were arrested were playing pool and drinking alcohol in bars at the banks of Nziitu River.

Peter says that although he luckily escaped from the police, he will never be late at night again. “I will be leaving Tseikuru town at 6pm latest. Let’s avoid being arrested” he says.

Night run

However, he appears to have strange thoughts of the fateful night. While identifying police by their tribes, he pointed some to his friends using his mouth. He was able to say the fastest is soldier x, the harshest is y and the friendliest is this.

It is illegal to profile people on basis of their ethnicity, religion, race et cetera.

Apart from netting residents flouting curfew deadlines, the administration has been silent about ballooning number of teenage pregnancies in Tseikuru.

Mr Muthengi, a father of two himself says that the Covid-19 break has given rise to young mothers who are still in school. During a normal market day on Thursday, he showed Mwingi Times 11 students who were pregnant all at advanced stages nearing delivery.

Some others were sent home due to indiscipline. Mivukoni mixed secondary school students have been away and were spotted today going back to school. Sources say that they must clear their school fees before readmission, a burden their parents find too heavy to carry.

Those arrested on Tuesday night were released on the following day after paying Sh500 fine charged.  The 13^th suspect was charged with murder. He is a tout for one of the public service vehicles that ply Mwingi-Meru route.

Confidential sources say that the Lolo tout was tracked for using a mobile phone belonging to a person who was killed and their belonging stolen from them. He, too was charged separately from others.

Mwingi boys’ secondary school students were sent home earlier this year following unrest.

Story by MUSYOKA NGUI