Woman demands justice after suffering burns in scuffle between hawkers and county askaris

Caroline Bunei (left), mother to Linda Bunei, at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret, on September 6, 2023. [Christopher Kipsang, Standard].

"It only took the courage of one woman who defied the county askaris instructions to leave the area to save my life. The Good Samaritan removed my clothes and called an ambulance that took me to hospital," said Bunei amidst tears.

She was taken to Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) Eldoret emergency section and quickly attended to.

"Doctors tore my clothes, cleaned my wounds, oiled and bandaged me. I was in pain. More than a month later, I am still in hospital and unable to fend for my family which depends on me," she stated.

Ms Bunei said her parents later reported the matter at the Central Police Station in Eldoret but no action has since been taken.

"I remember the face of the askari who splashed the oil. I could hear people call his name asking him to help me," she said.

Bunei's mother Caroline Bunei said: "My daughter did not have to go through the pain. The county officers only needed to do their work diligently."

"We cannot afford to clear the hospital bill. She is yet to be discharged since her health is still delicate and she is still on medication," said Caroline.

Dr Mildred Odembo from MTRH who has been attending to Bunei said that the patient is stable and is set to undergo skin grafting before being discharged.

"Bunei sustained burns on her abdomen, back and upper limbs. She sustained about 30 per cent burns, second-degree deep. She has since received treatment and is set for a second surgery for skin grafting," said Odembo.

Human Rights defender Kimutai Kirui condemned the incident and called for justice for Bunei.

"The brutality meted on Kenyans by county enforcement officers is disheartening. We call upon Governor Jonathan Bii to rein in rogue employees and ensure that they are trained on how to handle the public," said Kirui.

Elijah Kosgei, the County Executive for Public Service and Devolution, said his office had been briefed about the matter and that investigations are ongoing.

"We are conducting investigations to establish facts of the matter before any necessary action can be taken. We will brief the media about the outcome of our investigations," Mr Kosgei said.

Last month, an Eldoret court found a senior county officer from the County with a case to answer in an assault case he has been facing since 2019.

Principal Magistrate Mogire Onkoba found that Jeremiah Cheruiyot, an enforcement officer the Department of Public Health had a case to answer in relation to an assault case filed by a trader.

According to the charge sheet, Cheruiyot attacked Albert Chabaka, a butcher who was found wrapping meat in banned polythene bags during a crackdown on May 15, 2019, at Kipkaren estate in Kapseret Sub County.

The court heard that the accused, who was in the company of eight other county enforcement officials, attacked the trader before subjecting him to grievous bodily harm.