How dad ‘freed’ son from robbery charges by claiming he’s mentally challenged
Police will on November 9, 2023, arraign a robbery with violence suspect whose parents say is mentally challenged, claims dismissed by the police.
The suspect identified as Michael Oteche Atieri, managed to escape from a mob that was in the process of lynching him and surrendered at the Dandora Police Station.
The mob was angered after they cornered Oteche who had stabbed a man using a sharp knife and stolen his mobile phone. The stabbing took place on November 8, 2023.
An officer who spoke to Nairobi News in confidence as he is not authorised to address the media said that Oteche has in the past been arrested severally but his father usually secures his freedom after providing a letter showing he was mentally challenged.
“That has been the norm, each time he is arrested his father secures his freedom because he provides the letter showing that the son is mentally unstable,” said the officer who is attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
The letter which is in our possession was penned by doctors at the Mathari National and Teaching Hospital and addressed to the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Dandora and Buruburu Police Station.
It was then received on January 24, 2023, and that has been the letter that usually secures his freedom.
“The above-named is a patient in this facility where he has been put on medication and is on routine follow-up. He is mentally unwell and will need all the support possible to aid in his recovery. Kindly, accord him the necessary support,” the letter by Dr G. W. Muoria read in part.
The officer said that immediately he was nabbed, they searched his pockets and he was found in possession of a knife and the mobile phone which was allegedly stolen from the man who had been stabbed.
Nairobi County police boss Mr Adamson Bungei recently issued a stern warning to suspected robbers who operate within the city, especially during this festive season.
“We are going to increase patrols in Nairobi County and every Kenyan has been asked to go on with their business as usual ahead of the festive season,” Mr Bungei said.