Kenyan Lawyer Whose Hands were Slashed by Policewoman Dies at KNH

A Kenyan lawyer whose hands were slashed by a policewoman on October 7th has died.

Onesmus Masaku succumbed to his injuries while undergoing treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) on Sunday.

His passing was confirmed by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) chairman for the south-eastern branch, Justus Mutisya.

Masaku was rushed to the hospital in critical condition after he was attacked with a machete by Nancy Njeri, a police officer attached to Wote police station in Makueni county. The attack happened at the lawyer’s house in Wote.

Njeri, who was arrested following the incident, has been in police custody pending completion of investigations into the matter.

There were claims that the deceased attempted to rape the officer, prompting her to defend herself. The lawyer, according to a police report, had invited Njeri to his house to supposedly introduce his girlfriend to her.

But activists stormed Wote police station seeking to record a statement on the incident. They accused police at the station of trying to cover up the matter to protect their colleague.

LSK President Nelson Havi claimed the two were lovers and the officer attacked the lawyer after he turned down her demands for marriage.

“Police in Makueni are complicit in the attempted murder of Lawyer Onesmus Masaku by Policewoman Nancy Nyeri. The two are known lovers and Njeri attempted to kill him after he refused to accede to her demands for marriage. Nancy Njeri should be arrested and charged,” Havi said.

Havi and over 10 other attorneys are representing Masaku in the case that will be mentioned on October 23rd, 2020.