"Family Denies Bar Link as Suspicion Grows Over Eldoret Remand Death"

The tragic death of 24-year-old Collins Cheruiyot in the basement holding cells of the Eldoret Law Courts has taken a shocking turn, with his family rejecting police claims that he was involved in a bar theft and raising serious suspicions of foul play. The case has stirred public outrage, with human rights activists calling for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

In an emotional press conference following her son’s postmortem at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Judith Chepngetich, Cheruiyot’s mother, strongly denied allegations that she owned or ran a bar, where her son was accused of breaking in and stealing beer before his arrest. The claim had been part of the police's reasoning for Cheruiyot’s detention, but Chepngetich vehemently rejected it, saying, "I have never run a bar business as alleged, nor have I ever tasted alcohol in my entire life."

She was accompanied by her husband, Daniel Korir, a matatu driver, who also joined in condemning the police’s attempt to tie her to the bar business, dismissing it as an excuse to justify her son’s prolonged detention and tragic death. "This is an attempt to divert attention away from the real issue," Korir said, clearly distressed over the allegations.

Chepngetich went further to reveal that the complainant in the case—the person who had accused her son of breaking into the bar—had failed to show up for any court proceedings. "If the complainant was no longer interested in pursuing the case, why did the court continue holding my son in remand for all that time?" she questioned, her voice filled with pain and frustration. Cheruiyot had been held in Eldoret GK Remand Prison for seven months without a trial, and Chepngetich expressed deep concern over the judicial system’s failure to expedite the case.

She described her son as humble, disciplined, and outgoing, pointing out that he had no history of violence or criminal behavior. This stark contrast to the accusations made against him led her to publicly question the police's version of events. "I am not convinced that my son committed suicide in the court cells, as claimed by the police. There is something suspicious about the entire incident," she said, her voice wavering with emotion. She further demanded that a thorough investigation be conducted to uncover the truth about his death, emphasizing that her son deserved justice, not a cover-up.

Daniel Korir echoed his wife’s sentiments, rejecting the police’s claim that their son had died by suicide. "This is a deliberate attempt to hide the truth about my son's death. Linking my wife to a bar business is just a diversion," he said, adding that they would not rest until they had answers.

The family’s call for justice has been supported by Eldoret-based human rights activist Kimutai Kirui, who has condemned the court system’s repeated delays in handling Cheruiyot’s case. The young man had been in remand for months, with the court hearings being repeatedly postponed. "It is unacceptable that a young man was left to languish in remand for months without his case being concluded," Kirui said, calling the delays a failure of the justice system. "This failure needs to be investigated, as it contributed to the dire situation that led to his death."

Kirui also expressed concern over the potential for foul play in Cheruiyot’s death, urging for an independent pathologist to oversee the postmortem examination. "Given the circumstances surrounding this case, we demand that an independent pathologist be involved in the postmortem to ensure transparency and accountability," Kirui stressed, as activists and the public alike call for greater scrutiny of the police’s actions.

While the police maintain that Cheruiyot took his own life in the holding cell, further questions have emerged regarding the authenticity of their account. According to Turbo Sub-County Police Commander Patrick Wekesa, Cheruiyot allegedly hanged himself using his sweater and trouser laces after attempting to persuade his mother to withdraw the case against him. Wekesa claimed that before his death, Cheruiyot called his mother and pleaded with her to drop the charges, but she reportedly refused. An inmate at the facility, speaking anonymously, also revealed that Cheruiyot had been distraught over his situation, but had not shown any signs of suicidal intentions prior to the incident.

"Before committing suicide, he had called his mother, pleading with her to withdraw the case, but she declined," Wekesa stated. However, the police’s account has been met with skepticism. According to police reports, Cheruiyot tied his trouser lace to the window grills in the holding cell, and other inmates discovered him unresponsive and rushed him to MTRH. Despite attempts to save him, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.

Adding to the confusion, a senior officer from Eldoret Main Prison revealed that Cheruiyot had previously attempted suicide during his time in custody. This information raises additional questions about his mental health and whether adequate care and supervision were provided while he was incarcerated. The officer’s statement also casts doubt on the circumstances surrounding his final moments.

Cheruiyot was arrested on May 27, 2024, after allegedly breaking into Round Point Bar on May 24. Initially, he pleaded guilty to the charges but later changed his plea to not guilty. Despite this, his case was repeatedly delayed, and the family claims that this contributed to the emotional and psychological distress that may have led to his death. The case was scheduled for further proceedings on March 27, 2025, but with his untimely death, questions about the justice system’s failures and the events that led to his tragic end remain unresolved.

Cheruiyot’s family is not backing down, with his mother, Chepngetich, pleading, "We need the truth. My son did not deserve to die this way." Rights activists are rallying behind the family, demanding justice and transparency, and vowing to continue pursuing the case until the true cause of Cheruiyot’s death is uncovered.

As investigations into the incident continue, the case highlights the troubling issues surrounding prolonged remand without trial, the possible mistreatment of detainees, and the need for accountability within the justice system. The family and activists are calling for a comprehensive, independent investigation into both the death and the circumstances that led to Cheruiyot’s seven-month detention.

In the face of conflicting reports and mounting public pressure, the pursuit of justice for Collins Cheruiyot is far from over. "We will not rest until the truth comes out," said Chepngetich, determined to ensure that her son's tragic death is not swept under the rug.

February 15, 2025