The National Police Service has responded to reports that the late Julie Njoki passed away from a case of police brutality whilst in custody.
In a statement released on the afternoon of Monday, July 14, the NPS responded to a news story by The Standard newspaper, which appeared to suggest police had assaulted Njoki to death.
"The attention of the National Police Service (NPS) has been drawn to a report published in The Standard Newspaper on 14th July 2025 (Page 4), alleging police misconduct," a statement from the NPS on Monday read.
In their clarification, police confirmed that Njoki was among 126 individuals who were arrested in Nanyuki on Saba Saba Day, July 7.
According to the NPS, Njoki was charged alongside other suspects the following day at the Nanyuki Law Courts with the offence of malicious damage to property under Section 339(1) of the Penal Code.
All the suspects pleaded guilty and were released on a KSh50,000 bail or face remand at the Nanyuki Prison.
Julie was subjected to the latter since her family was unable to raise the bail at the time.
While the NPS did not necessarily reveal how the late Njoki passed away, in their statement, they were adamant that they were under no investigations, effectively refuting allegations of misconduct.
"To date, no formal complaint has been recorded alleging any misconduct-whether by commission or omission," the statement went on.
"Nevertheless, the relevant agencies will conduct swift, transparent, and credible investigations into the matter, and accountability will follow."
The Standard's Monday newspaper edition bore an image of the late Njoki, along with a caption which suggested that the Prisons Service admitted that the deceased lost her life whilst in custody.
"After a day-long standoff between two state security agencies - the Police and the Prisons Service - over where 24-year-old Julie Kariuki lost her life, the Prisons Service has admitted she died in their custody, though they claim she arrived already injured," the caption read.
The NPS's statement came amid a fresh wave of protests in Nanyuki as residents took to the streets to demand justice for Njoki. The deceased's grandmother led protests, accusing authorities of torturing her granddaughter to death.
