Lugari Police Station officer accused of raping a woman after snatching her phone

A police officer attached to Lugari Police Station in Lugari Ward of Lugari Constituency, Kakamega County, is facing grave accusations of harassing a woman from Umoja Village in Lugari Sub-location and ending up raping her on Monday evening.

In a case reported by Ms. Ann Nekesa, 20, at Lumakanda Police Station under OB No. 25/18/10/2022, Maurice Muitethia, a police constable, is said to have met her at the Lugari Trading Centre at around 3.00 pm on Monday and snatched her phone, a Tecno L8 Silver worth Sh8,000, and walked away with it.

According to the police statement, the lady reported that she followed the officer to his rented house near the market to recover her phone but met a fierce Mr. Muitethia who forcefully, while wielding a knife, pulled her into the house, forced her to take off her underpants and raped her until 6.30 pm the same evening.

“The victim was escorted to Lumakanda Sub-county Hospital where she was treated and discharged in a fair condition,” part of the statement read.

Lugari OCPD Bernard Ngungu said they have launched investigations into the accusations touching on his junior, who he said has been having an affair with the woman.

He said the lady, who is married, reported the matter a day later after her husband demanded to know the matter between her and the embattled police officer.

“We are not putting weight into the fact that the two were in a relationship, what we are investigating is whether the lady was raped as she claims,” he said.

If found guilty, the police officer risks losing his job and facing a sentence which may range from not less than five years in prison to life imprisonment.

Sam Oduor

Sam Oduor is the editor-in-chief at the Western Kenya Times who leverages the power of the Internet in telling stories that shape opinions.