DCI Parklands have obtained an order to have a swimming pool attendant from Visa Oshwal Primary School detained for seven days after an 11-year-old boy drowned under unclear circumstances.
Magistrate Geoffrey Onsarigo allowed the application to have him detained at Parklands police station as the officers investigate allegations of neglect of duty.
The late Abdikarim Ali was reported missing on Tuesday, February 21, 2023, evening when his parent went to pick him up from school.
His body was to be found inside the school’s swimming pool on the following day, Wednesday, morning.
Geoffrey Juma Opala was then arrested on February 22 over suspicion of having committed an offence of neglect of official duty.
He is believed to have neglected his official duty as a swimming pool attendant at Visa Oshwal Primary School where the body of a grade 2 pupil was found dead in the swimming pool.
The said offence was committed on February 20 at about 1530hrs while Juma was on duty at the said school’s swimming pool.
The court heard that preliminary investigations have established that the deceased died of drowning but they are yet to discover whether it was accidental or caused by somebody.
In an affidavit, Clare Wafula a police officer attached at DCI Parklands says Juma was captured on CCTV footage while on duty with the deceased walking towards the swimming pool and the body later being discovered having drowned in the pool.
The DCI says Juma intentionally neglected his duty by failing to prevent the deceased from going to the swimming pool.
The deceased was captured on CCTV footage passing him walking towards the swimming pool.
“He failed to disclose to school management and the parents that the deceased had walked past him towards the swimming pool on the material day,” read Clare’s affidavit in part.
The court heard that Juma has since been interrogated but has failed to disclose his place of abode.
Based on this, the officer said it would be difficult to trace him in case investigations lead to his prosecution.
They also argued that if he is released on bail, juma is likely to interfere with witnesses who are yet to be traced. Some are his workmates.
“His life is also in danger because the crowd outside is angry at him as a result of the offence committed,” said the DCI.
