‘They cracked his skull’: Mother cries as another son succumbs to police beating in Nyalenda

The family of Everlyne Achungo at Nyalenda Western estate in Kisumu is in mourning.

In the last five days, the mother of four has lost two of her sons. Twenty-four-year-old William Amulele died on Saturday night while receiving treatment at the intensive care unit.

William’s death came two days after his younger brother, 22-year-old Brian Oniang’o also succumbed at the same facility on Wednesday.

The two brothers were allegedly dragged out of their house by police officers during the anti-government protests two weeks ago.

“Nilipata vijana wanapigwa wako nje na vijana wangu huwa hawatoki nje daktari alisema Brian alikuwa na crack kwa skull yake ndio ilileta shida ya kifo yake na vile William alikufa waliniambia William shingo ilikatika na pia alikuwa na crack kwa skull yake,” their mother, Everlyne Achungo, tells Citizen TV.

Truphena Mboya, aunt to deceased, is apealing for justice; “Naomba tu Rais William Ruto mahali yuko atuonee huruma asisifu polisi ati wamefanya kaiz mzuri an naomba Raila penye ako akemeshe hiyo maandamano juu watoto wa watu wanaendelea kukufa tu bure.”

The two brothers had only stayed in this rented room for three weeks…their friends set up a vigil in the single room which now bears only memories of two brothers that stuck together even in death.

“Mheshimiwa Ruto tunataka ujitokezee vile uliambia raila aombe apology wewe pia utuombe apology juu ulisifu polisi ati wamefanya kazi nzuri na sisi tunalia tunaomba wewe pia uingilie kati,” says Austin Ochieng’ a neighbour to the family.

Sixteen deaths have so far been recorded in Kisumu County as a result of police brutality during the anti-government protests.

For now, Everlyne is now left to shoulder the burial expenses for her two eldest children.

As both government and opposition warm up for dialogue to bring an end to the stalemate, for Everline Achungo and hundreds of other victims of police brutality, the scars of the anti-government protests still remain as they await justice for their kin.