A middle-aged man died on Tuesday night after he fell into a pit full of muddy waters at Kathaana market in Kangundo sub-County, Machakos County, while running away from the police.
The man is said to have been in the company of two others who escaped.
Eyewitnesses said the man was dodging police who were on patrol during curfew hours before slipping into the quarry.
Kangundo sub county police Commander Phyllis Kandie refuted the claims saying the three ran immediately after seeing the police patrol car but none of his officers was after them.
“The normalcy of Kathaana residents is to ran when they notice a police vehicle, and the three who rumours are that they are visitors in the area, ran too and one fell into one of the quarries in the area.” explained madam Kandie
Speaking to K24 Digital, Ms Kandie said the man lacked proper knowledge of the area leading to the accident.
“Those allegations are false, the police didn’t chase after anyone, the man only thought police were after them when he noticed others running.” said the SCPC
The Kangundo Sub County Police Commander added “police are in full uniform as they attend to the daily patrol duties and none fits in civilian attires to ensure security.”
She said the area has many occasions during the day and the man might have been in one of them before night came.
Police officers with the help of the public have retrieved the body to Kangundo level 4 hospital mortuary as investigations continue on the identity of the young man.
Ms Kandie urged the public to adhere to curfew hours and COVID-19 protocol in order to be safe.
She either requested Kangundo residents to shun from running away from the police.
