Bodies of two men retrieved from Thika River

The bodies of two men who were allegedly last seen in the company of police and a government administrator, have been retrieved from River Thika.

One of the bodies still had handcuffs on the wrist when it was retrieved.

The two young men, Nicholas Maithya and Asman Kamau, had been arrested by police officers and the assistant chief, Rubiru village in Gatanga.

According to the families of the deceased, the two men were fishing with two other friends when they were arrested by the area’s assistant chief and his police officers who accused them of participating in rampant brewing of illicit liquor along the river

Gatanga Deputy Sub-county Police Commander Simon Mulu said the two men drowned while running away from the assistant chief who was pursuing illegal brewers along the river.

Eyewitnesses say the assistant chief and his colleagues vanished upon realizing the two had drowned. Efforts by Brian Mbithi and Joseph Ndolo who were in the company of the deceased to help them, were futile as they were swept away by the swollen river

The residents say one body was retrieved with handcuffs and the other body had handcuff marks but police have denied any involvement in the deaths.

Gatanga Deputy Sub-county Police Commander Simon Mulu the two men drowned while running away from the assistant chief who was pursuing illegal brewers along the river.

The bodies are currently lying at the General Kago Hospital mortuary in Thika.