Chinese Athlete Claims Kenyan Police Tried to Extort Ksh 1 Million After Arrest Over Death Threats!
Yen is the petitioner in a case against the Attorney General, Inspector General of Police, Director of Criminal Investigations, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Police Constable Kithinji Kaaria, and his former fiancée, Michelle Jemutai Koskei.
A 36-year-old Chinese athlete Chen Cheny Yen when he appeared before Justice Reuben Nyakundi of Eldoret High Court .
A 36-year-old Chinese athlete accused of threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend four years ago has testified before the High Court in Eldoret, alleging that a police detective from the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) attempted to extort Ksh 1 million from him in exchange for his release.
Chen Cheny Yen, who trains in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, claimed that Police Constable Kithinji Kaaria made the demand following his arrest and detention at Iten Police Station before his transfer to Eldoret Central Police Station in Uasin Gishu County.
“A team of officers from ATPU, led by Kithinji Kaaria, arrested me on allegations that I had sent a death threat message to my former friend without conducting any prior investigations,” Yen told Justice Reuben Nyakundi.
He further testified that after his arrest, officers forcibly took him to his rental house in Iten, where they allegedly confiscated his mobile phone, Ksh 25,000, a visa card, and his passport—without obtaining a search warrant from the court.
Yen is the petitioner in a case against the Attorney General, Inspector General of Police, Director of Criminal Investigations, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Police Constable Kithinji Kaaria, and his former fiancée, Michelle Jemutai Koskei. He claims that his fundamental rights were violated and that the charges against him were fabricated, motivated by malice, and part of a scheme to extort money from him.
“While in police custody, officers attempted to solicit bribes from me to secure my release. When I refused to comply, I was arraigned in a criminal court and charged with sending a death threat message to my former girlfriend,” Yen stated in his testimony.
He also asserted that he was denied access to justice as guaranteed under Article 48 of the Kenyan Constitution. Additionally, he argued that his right to be charged in court within 24 hours was violated, stating, “I was condemned unheard, contrary to the principles of natural justice, which dictate that no person should be condemned without a fair hearing.”
The case arises from Yen’s arrest and prosecution in Eldoret, following a report by his ex-girlfriend, Michelle Jemutai Koskei, who accused him of sending her a threatening text message on May 9, 2022.
According to the charge sheet, Yen, who primarily trains in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, allegedly sent a message from an undisclosed location boasting about his ability to harm Koskei and evade justice. The message reportedly read: “Let me tell you, I can kill you and the baby, and you will do nothing because the police of Kenya are just stupid. I will give them money, and no story about you again.”
Following his arraignment, Yen was granted bail by Eldoret Senior Principal Magistrate Onkoba Mogire, securing his release on a Ksh 50,000 bond with a surety of the same amount provided by a Kenyan citizen.
Justice Nyakundi adjourned the case to April 1 for further hearing.
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