Airport Club management has clarified that the 21-year-old man who was shot dead by police in Githurai was not an employee of the entertainment joint.
The clarification comes after the family of Eric Muiruri Njoki claimed he was working as a bouncer at Airport Lodge in Githurai 44 when he was shot by police on Sunday, August 9.
The family said Njoki had earlier disagreed with his manager, who allegedly called police to arrest him.
According to the family, Njoki knelt down when police officers arrived as a sign of surrender, but was allegedly shot three times in the chest and died at the scene.
In a statement on Wednesday, August 12, Airport Club management issued a clarification, saying Njoki had never been employed by the club in any capacity and was not part of its security or other staff.
"Following various reports, discussions, and information circulating in the public domain regarding the circumstances surrounding Mr. Njoki's death, Airport Club Management finds it necessary to make the following official clarification.
"Mr. Erick Njoki was not an employee of Airport Club and never worked at Airport Club in any capacity. In particular, he was not employed as a security guard, bouncer, or member of the Club's staff," the statement read.
The entertainment joint said it should not be associated with the circumstances of Njoki's death or claims identifying him as one of its employees or representatives.
"Airport Club therefore distances itself from the circumstances surrounding his death and from any claims or information suggesting that the deceased was an employee, security guard, bouncer, or representative of the Club," the statement added.
The management also urged the public and its customers to avoid spreading information about the incident that has not been verified, saying such claims could wrongly link the establishment and its staff to the death.
"We respectfully urge members of the public, our customers, and other stakeholders to exercise responsibility when sharing information concerning this unfortunate incident and to refrain from circulating unverified claims or information that may wrongly associate Airport Club, its Management, or its employees with the circumstances surrounding Mr. Njoki's death," the statement further read.
Airport Club management expressed condolences to Njoki's family, friends and acquaintances, describing him as a popular and well-known figure within the Githurai community.
"We acknowledge the grief and pain caused by his untimely passing and extend our deepest sympathies to all those affected by his death. We wish his family strength, comfort, and peace during this difficult period," the statement concluded.
This comes a day after the Inspector General Douglas Kanja announced that officers present at police stations where suspects lose their lives while in custody will be interdicted or dismissed from the police force.
Speaking during the Sensitisation Forum on New Service Standing Orders and Police Reforms at the National Police Leadership Academy (NPLA) on Wednesday, August 12, he told police commanders that the rise in the number of deaths in police stations was unacceptable.
Kanja directed them to interdict all officers on duty at the station whenever a suspect dies while in custody.
"Let me be very clear, for any death occurring in police cells, the occurrence book (OB) recorder, the cell sentry and the duty officer must be interdicted immediately pending investigations on whatever happened.
"That is something that you as the commanders on the ground must ensure happens," he ordered.
Kanja further raised concerns over the increasing number of police officers engaged in criminal activities and called on the commanders to rein in officers who act outside the provisions of the law.
He warned that failure to adhere to his directives would lead to demotion and legal consequences.
Kanja further cautioned officers assigned to VIPs against operating outside the law and confirmed that he would be closely monitoring the unit.
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